Photo of Virginia O'Brien
Sister Virginia O’Brien, SU

Obituary of Sister Virginia O’Brien, SU

March 30, 2025

Sr. Virginia O’Brien, SU entered eternal life on March 30, 2025. A beloved Sister of St. Ursula, sister, aunt, and President of Notre Dame School of Manhattan, Sr. Virginia touched countless lives and will be dearly missed. Every student at Notre Dame has been blessed by her deep care and heartfelt encouragement.

Born on May 3, 1952 to parents, Rita Quinn O’Brien and Vincent de Paul O’Brien, Virginia O’Brien and her family were active members of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs parish in Forest Hills, NY. She was a cherished alumna of Notre Dame School of Manhattan, where she graduated in 1970. Virginia took her first vows as a Sister of St. Ursula on August 25, 1975 and graduated from the College of Mt. St. Vincent in 1977. She earned her masters in counseling from Fairfield University in 1982 and her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Fordham University in 1996.

Sr. Virginia was an adjunct Assistant Professor of Counseling and Education at Hunter College from 1996 - 2000, during which time she practiced as a psychologist at Kenwood Psychological Services while opening her own private practice. She served as a Consulting Psychologist at the Marymount School from 2000 - 2003, helping the school community cope with the losses of the 9/11 tragedy. Most of her professional life was dedicated to Notre Dame School, as a School Counselor in 1982, Director of School Counseling in 1985 and School Psychologist from 1995 - 2000.

In 2009, she was appointed President of Notre Dame School, a position she held for fifteen years. At Notre Dame she saw the school through two relocations, and the COVID-19 crisis. She completed the renovation and beautification of the school’s home on West 13th Street. Sr. Virginia initiated a values-based peer leadership program, Anne's Leaders, that remains woven fully into the fabric of the community. She was also a trustee of St. Hilda’s and St. Hugh’s School since 2021.

Sr. Virginia is predeceased by her parents Rita and Vincent, and her sister, Mary Ellen O’Brien and survived by her brother Vincent de Paul O’Brien and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is deeply missed by Sr. Mary Dolan, SU and all of the Sisters of St. Ursula. The entire Notre Dame School community are united in grief and committed to honoring her legacy.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Notre Dame School of Manhattan, 327 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10014:
https://cheznous.myschoolapp.com/page/giving/make-a-gift?siteId=1660&ssl=1

or to the Sisters of Saint Ursula, 50 Linwood Road, Rhinebeck, NY 12572.
https://www.societyofstursula.org/

To Live Stream the funeral mass on Friday, 4/4 at 10:00am, please click on the link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-addyw4tCDs

Funeral Services

Visitation

April 3, 2025

2:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Notre Dame School

327 W. 13th Street

New York, NY 10014

Get Directions

Funeral Mass

April 4, 2025

10:00 AM

The Church of St. Francis Xavier

46 W. 16th Street

New York, NY 10011

Get Directions

Interment

April 4, 2025

12:15 PM

Gate of Heaven Cemetery

10 W. Stevens Avenue

Hawthorne, NY 10532

Get Directions

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Very, very sorry about Ginny.


Posted by: Daniel P Quinn - Newark, New Jersey - Family April 2, 2025

We are sorry to about Ginny"s passing. Our condolences to the family.


Posted by: Margaret, Rosemary,Eileen Petersen, DiPietro - Belford, NJ - Family April 8, 2025