Sheila Mary McDonnell

Sheila Mary McDonnell, a longtime resident of Chicago and formerly of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away on October 1, 2026.

Raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Sheila graduated from Creighton University before moving to Chicago, where she resided for her entire adult life. She enjoyed a long and impactful career as an educator, retiring after 38 years of teaching. Her commitment to youth extended into her retirement through her extensive volunteer work with the Lurie Children’s Hospital.

Sheila approached life with energy and enthusiasm. She was an active member of the local skiing, and golf and tennis communities, where she found great exercise and made lifelong friends with whom she also travelled the world. She was a dedicated member of ICSJ Catholic Church. Her deep love and pride for Chicago inspired two of her great-nieces to make it their home as well.

She is survived by her sisters Sharon Reefe of Omaha, and Maureen Silhasek of Paradise Valley, and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins who adored her, as well as a countless number of close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Beatrice McDonnell, and her brothers Terry McDonnell and Patrick McDonnell.

Family and friends will gather Saturday, November 7th, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 1431 N. North Park Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60610 for a Visitation at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30am.