Sister Julia O’Brien, O.P.

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Sister Julia O’Brien, O.P., who spent decades devoted to the care and education of youth, died Feb. 11 in St. Martin de Porres Community at the Sisters of St. Dominic motherhouse in Blauvelt. She was 82.

Sister Julia served as a guidance counselor at St. Pius V High School in the Bronx for 10 years until 2011, when she retired.
She served the congregation at the motherhouse from 1988 to 2001, when she was councilor of the leadership team, motherhouse administrator and administrator of the sisters’ infirmary.

She also served as campus minister at Dominican College, Orangeburg, 1979-1986, and teacher and counselor at New Hope Manor, Garrison, 1975-1978. At St. Dominic’s Home, Blauvelt, she was a child guidance worker, 1979-1988, and cottage mother, 1969-1975. She taught in the Bronx at Holy Spirit School, 1959-1965; and St. Anselm, 1957-1959.

Born in the Bronx, she entered the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt in 1955 and made final vows in 1963. She held a bachelor’s degree in education from Dominican College, a master’s in social studies from Hunter College and a master’s in clinical social work from New York University.

Her brothers, Neil and Michael, and sisters, Peggy Buratowski, JoAnn Major and Judy Doherty, survive her.

A Funeral Mass was offered Feb. 14 at St. Dominic Convent’s Chapel of the Most Holy Rosary. Burial was at St. Dominic Convent Cemetery.

Sister Julia O’Brien, O.P.