Sr. Dehra Elliot,CSJ

Sister Dehra Marie Elliot (formerly Sr. Mary Sheila), a Sister of St. Joseph for seventy six years entered eternal life at Mt. St. Mary Convent in Wichita, Kansas on December 20, 2025. Sr. Dehra was born on January 2, 1932 in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late Francis Berchman Elliot and Enola M. Hanneman.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Fr. Clyde J. Elliot, SJ, Norval F. Elliot, Sr., Fr. Larion J. Elliot, SJ, Brother John Filmore Elliot, SJ and her sisters Sr. Oenone Elliot, CSJ, Yska M. Sierra, and Sheila M. Elliot. Sr. Dehra is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Sr. Dehra graduated from St. Joseph Academy in New Orleans, Louisiana and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in September of 1949. She professed final vows in August of 1954. Sr. Dehra’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Masters in Secondary Education from Loyola University in New Orleans. A life-long learner, Sr. Dehra took advantage of numerous on-going formation and continuing education courses throughout her life. Her years of teaching and service began at our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in New Orleans. She served in schools in South Louisiana including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Grand Coteau, Norco, and Morgan City. Following her retirement from teaching, she served as Director of House Manager at Blessing Place in Lacombe, Louisiana and Activities Director at Wynhoven Apartment in Marerro, Louisiana and Christopher Inn in New Orleans, two senior living facilities sponsored by the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Sr. Dehra retired from active teaching in 2009 and in 2010 moved to Mt. St. Mary in Wichita, Kansas for medical treatment. She returned to Louisiana in July of 2011 and resided at the Sisters of St. Joseph Hundred Oaks Retirement Center until her final move to Mt. St. Mary in Wichita, Kansas in 2023.

Mass of Resurrection followed by internment at Mt. St. Mary Retirement Center will be held on Friday, January 2, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Memorials in her name may be sent to the Congregation of St. Joseph Retirement Fund, Dear Neighbor Ministries, Inc. or StepStone Ministries, Inc. at Mt. St. Mary, 3700 E. Lincoln St., Wichita, KS 67218