Sister Agnes Teresa Sheehan, CSJ

Sister Agnes Teresa was predeceased by her parents, Simon Edward Sheehan and Mary Olef (née Woodcroft) Sheehan, her sisters, Sister Mary Frederick, CSJ, Sister Mary Peter, CSJ, her brothers Joseph (infant), Rev. Peter Sheehan, CSB, Rev. Paul Sheehan CSB, Francis Xavier, and Simon Frederick. She is survived by her sister Patricia Vasko, brother Joseph (Joe) Sheehan and her sister-in-law Mary Frances, who were wonderful support to her as well as close friends. She will be sadly missed by her family, Sisters in community, friends, and colleagues.

Born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario, Carmel Antoinette was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Parish. Following graduation from St. Joseph’s College School in Toronto, Antoinette entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 8, 1940, along with her sister Mary (Mary Frederick) and was given the religious name, Agnes Teresa.

A lifelong educator, Sister Agnes Teresa taught first in elementary schools in Toronto, Oshawa and Etobicoke, became a principal and then a supervisor for the Oshawa Separate School Board, all while pursuing advanced university studies. In 1971, she joined the Faculty of Education, University of Toronto as a lecturer and retired in 1988 as a full professor and chair of the Department of Educational Administration. In 1983, Sister Agnes Teresa was elected as a Toronto public school trustee representing the Separate School tax payers.

She was an active member in her religious community and in numerous national and international professional and charitable organizations including, among others, Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, Canadian College of Teachers, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (Key Women Educators), PRIME Mentors of Canada, World Organization for Early Childhood Education, Herman House Foundation. Beginning in 1961, Sister Agnes Teresa became an active volunteer counselor and later board member with Sancta Maria House, an agency supporting at-risk young women.

In 2019, she moved to the Sisters’ residence on 2 O’Connor Drive where she received excellent care from our dedicated staff as her health declined.

Visitation on Saturday, November 15, 2025 2 to 4 P.M. and 6:30 to 8 P.M. Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home 8088 Yonge St. Thornhill ON L4J 1W3

Mass of Christian Burial Monday, November 17, 2025, at 11 A.M. St. Edward the Confessor Church 75 Churchill Ave, North York, ON M2N 1Y8

Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph Ministries. 101 Thorncliffe Park Drive, Toronto ON M4H 1M2