Sister Mary Sheila Higdon, 88, an Ursuline Sister of Mount Saint Joseph, died Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Owensboro, Ky., in her 70th year of religious life. She was a native of Owensboro.
Sister Mary Sheila was a kind-hearted person who always had a smile on her face. She made artful creations and had a love for cooking and flowers. She was devoted to decorating a Chrismon tree during Advent.
She began her teaching career in 1950-52 at St. Charles School in Bardwell, Ky. She was a teacher at St. Bartholomew School, Louisville (1952-59) and Seven Holy Founders School, Affton, Mo., (1959-70). She was director of the Saint Angela Education Center in Louisville (1970-72), then was principal at Saint John School in Plattsmouth, Neb., from 1972-80. From 1981-82, she was pastoral minister at Saint John Parish and part-time teacher at the school. From 1980-81, she was associate director of religious education for the Lincoln (Neb.) Diocesan Office.
She was assistant religious education coordinator at Holy Name Parish in Henderson, Ky., from 1982-85, and then was director of religious education at St. Joseph and Holy Spirit parishes in Bowling Green, Ky., from 1985-90. Sister Mary Sheila was director of religious education at St. Mary of the Woods Parish in Whitesville, Ky., from 1990-93, and then served as pastoral minister and director of religious education at St. Francis Borgia Parish in Sturgis, Ky., from 1993-96. From 1996 to 1999, she was pastoral minister and director of religious education at Sacred Heart Parish in Dexter, Mo. From 1999-2011, Sister Mary Sheila was the pastoral associate for three Missouri parishes, St. George Parish in Van Buren, St. Catherine Siena Parish in Piedmont, and Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Williamsville. She served at the Motherhouse as coordinator of formation for Ursuline Partnerships (2011-12) and since 2012, had offered transportation for the sisters and hospitality in the chapel.
Survivors include two brothers, Hugh Higdon and Eugene Higdon, both of Owensboro, nieces and nephews and the members of her religious community.
The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Mount Saint Joseph, where visitation will begin Monday at 4 p.m., with a wake service following at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be in the Motherhouse cemetery.
Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Donations in memory of Sister Mary Sheila may be made to the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph, 8001 Cummings Road, Maple Mount, KY 42356.
Comments
She was a blessing to our Mission church family and the community in Van Buren, Mo. Everyone loved her. May she rest in peace.
Rest in Peace Sister Sheila. You were an inspiration to me and helped me to grow in the Catholic Faith.
May your soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through Mercy of God, rest in the peace of our Lord. I will always remember when you pinned me the very first year I became an associate, we received the tiny heart crosses back then. You are special to me.
S.Mary Sheila was so kind to me when I stayed at PVH during the time our Owensboro house was being de-molded!