Born May 22, 1907, in Fancy Farm, Ky., Julia Mary was a cheerful, loving child in a family of nine. She learned to practice her faith from the example of her parents, Edward and Sarah Vessels Brumlow. Her early school days were spent at St. Jerome School in Fancy Farm. She came to Mount Saint Joseph Academy for her final year of high school. She returned in 1927 to enter the novitiate. On March 19, 1928, Julia Mary received the Ursuline habit and the name Sister Michaeline.
Mission life began at St. James School in Wynot, Neb., where Sister Michaeline served as a primary teacher. She was later assigned to Snyder and to Nebraska City, Neb. Sister spent a total of 23 years in Nebraska. The reputation of an excellent primary teacher followed her wherever she went. Sister Michaeline came back to Kentucky and taught at Cloverport; Owensboro (Blessed Mother, Immaculate, and Precious Blood); and Louisville (Mother of Good Counsel School and St. Angela Education Center). During the summer school sessions at Brescia College she taught special reading courses in the Education Department. She enjoyed the same influence and success teaching future teachers as she did with the 5, 6 and 7 year olds.
Sister Michaeline retired at the Motherhouse in 1986. She was a ray of sunshine especially for the sick and infirm Sisters. She always held an audience captive with stories (factual but greatly embellished with Brumlow wit) about her teaching experiences with her students in primary grades, pastors and parents. She died February 11, 1988. Father Anthony Shonis, chaplain, celebrated the funeral Mass two days later in the convent chapel. Sister Michaeline’s remains are buried in the convent cemetery. Preceding her in death were her two Ursuline sisters, Sister Marie Therese and Sister Mary Francis.