Posted August 3, 2026

Sister Leonissa O’Brien SSJ, age 95, died on July 28, 2026, at Saint Joseph Villa.

The daughter of the late Edward and Marion (nee Delaney) O’Brien, she attended St. Ambrose Grade School and Little Flower High School.

In September 1950 she entered the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Chestnut Hill, and professed her final vows in 1958.

Sister Leonissa ministered in the dioceses of Philadelphia and Washington D.C.

She is preceded in death by her brothers Edward, Francis, Donald, Raymond, Gerald, Thomas and sisters Alleen Davenport, and Marion Wood. She is survived by her sister Theresa Gavaghan, many loving nieces, nephews, their extended families and members of her Congregation, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia.

Friends are invited to Saint Joseph Villa beginning at 9:30 am on Monday, August 3,2026. A Mass will follow at 10:30 AM. Services will be live-streamed from the Saint Joseph Villa website www.stjosephvilla.org.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sister’s name to Saint Joseph Villa, 110 W. Wissahickon Ave., Flourtown, PA 19031.