Remembering Sr. Virginia O'Brien, S.U.

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.  “Ginny” to her close friends and family, was a woman of impressive accomplishments and tireless efforts on the behalf of all those she knew.  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 the Queen of Martyrs parish in Forest Hills, NY..  She is a cherished alumna of Notre Dame School of Manhattan, where she graduated high school 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 with a major in English and a minor in elementary education in 1977.  She earned her masters in counseling from Fairfield Univervisery 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 in New York City from 1996 - 2000, during which time she also 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 of Manhattan, where she began as a School Counselor in 1982, becoming Director of School Counseling in 1985 and serving as 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 directed the extensive renovation and beautification of the school’s home on West 13th St. (filling the school’s hallways with antique treasures and fresh flowers) and initiated a values-based peer leadership program that remains woven fully into the fabric of the community.  Sr. Virginia was a trustee of St. Hilda’s and Hugh’s School since 2021.  She also served on the General Council of the Sisters of St. Ursula from her election in 2022 until her death.

Ginny 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 community of faculty, staff, students, alumnae, trustees, and friends of Notre Dame School 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 or to the Sisters of Saint Ursula, 50 Linwood Road Rhinebeck, NY 12572