Sister Sheila Mullins, OP, of the Dominican Sisters, Sparkill, New York, died on August 19, 2026, in Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, NY. She was 86 years old.
Born in New York on June 26, 1940, Sheila was the daughter of Thomas and Muriel Kelly Mullins. She entered the Dominican Congregation of Our Lady of the Rosary in Sparkill on September 8, 1958, and received the name Sister Deirdre Marie. She professed first vows in 1960 and final vows in 1965.
Sister Sheila graduated from St. Luke’s School (Bronx, NY) and Cathedral High School in Manhattan. She then earned a BS in Education from St. Thomas Aquinas College, Sparkill, NY, in 1963, and an MSC in Education/Counseling from St. John University in 1972.
Sister Sheila’s ministry of education included St. Brendan School, Bronx, NY (1960-1963); St. Christopher School, Red Hook, NY (1963-1966); St. Mary Magdalene School, Springfield Gardens, NY (1966-1971); and Guidance Counselor, Albertus Magnus High School, Bardonia, NY (1971-1975). From 1975 until 1991, Sister Sheila ministered in the Diocese of Multan, Pakistan, in Dominican Convent School, Bahawalpur, as Teacher/Supervisor (1975-1980, 1981-1987, Principal (1988-1989); in Loreto Chak, Layyah District, as Pastoral Minister (1980-1981); and in Raza Abad Colon, Multan, as Pastoral Minister (1989-1991). Upon her return to ministry in the United States, Sister Sheila served as a Chaplain in Good Samaritan Hospital, Suffern, NY, from 1992 until 2020. She continued to serve the pastoral needs of Sisters in Dominican Convent, Sparkill, NY, in her retirement years.
Sister Sheila is predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Muriel Kelly Mullins, brothers, Timothy and Robert, sister Helen Jean, and sisters-in-law, Kathy and Cannella Mullins. She is survived by Thomas (Anne), Patrick (Jo), John (BeAnn), Mary Dolan (John), Michael, Theresa Cerio (Mike), Joan, Kevin (Kathy), and sisters-in-law Lois and Terri, loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces/grandnephews, relatives, Dominican Sisters, Associates, and friends.
Sister Sheila made a significant impact on the lives of students, parents, and colleagues through her joyful spirit both here and in Pakistan and in her compassionate ministry at Good Samaritan Hospital. She embodied the Dominican Sisters' mission of proclaiming the Word of God through a commitment to justice and reverence for all creation. Her Dominican Sisters, Associates, family, friends, and everyone she served will deeply miss her joyful and pastoral presence. Rest in peace, good and faithful servant, Sister Sheila Mullins, OP. May you be held in the embrace of God’s hands!
Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Wake: 9:30 am; Prayer Service: 10:00 am; Mass at 11:00 am