Obituary of Sr. Mary Sheila Storm, R.S.M.

Sister Mary Sheila Storm Sister of Mercy Sister Mary Sheila, 90 died, Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at McAuley Hall Health Care Center in Watchung, NJ. Sister was born in Phillipsburg, NJ and entered the Sisters of Mercy in 1934; she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music with a Major in Piano from Georgian Court University and a Masters in Music Literature from Rochester University, NY and continued Doctorate Studies at Boston University. For more than 55 years Sister Sheila was a vital part of life at Georgian Court College (University) Lakewood, NJ. She began her career as a Music Instructor in 1945 and also served as a Resident Advisor. She performed as a piano soloist and in piano ensembles. Sister served many years as the Chair of the Music Department and in 2001 she was named Professor Emerita. Sister planned performing music for liturgies for service person stationed in the US Army base in Germany, was elected to honorary membership in the Court chapter of the National Honor Society and served as organist at Saint Mary Church in Lakewood, NJ. She was a member of the American Musicological Society, College Music Society, American Association of University Professors and Mercy Higher Education Colloquium. Sister Sheilas love for music and her zest for life was an inspiration to her students. She followed their careers with great love and remained interested in all their endeavors. Sister Sheila retired to McAuley Hall in 2003 where she continued her ministry of prayer until her death after a brief illness. Sister is survived by her loving sister, Ruth Thompson of Charlotte, NC and her nephew William Frew, Jr. and his family of Staten Island, NY. The wake will be at Georgian Court University, 900 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood, NJ in the Dorothy Marron University Chapel on Friday, January 12, 2007 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday, January 13, from 9:00 to 10:30. Mass will follow at 10:30. Burial will be in Saint Mary Cemetery, Lakewood, NJ. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Mercy Mid-Atlantic Community, Mount Saint Mary, 1645 Highway 22, Watchung, NJ 07069. Arrangements are by Higgins Home for Funerals, Watchung, NJ.