Rest in Peace, Sister Colette Brehony, OVISS (1936-2026)

Sister Colette Brehony (Agnes Josephine) was welcomed into eternal life by her loving God on January 11, 2026, at the age of 89. Born in County Sligo, Ireland, to John and Catherine McDonagh Brehony on November 17, 1936, she was preceded in death by her parents, brother Padraic Brehony, and sisters Margaret Gethin, Nance Higgins, Sisters Rita and Catherine Brehony. She is survived by one sister, Sister Maria Elizabeth Brehony, and numerous nieces and nephews.
 
Sister Colette entered the Incarnate Word Congregation in Corpus Christi on September 2, 1952, made perpetual profession of vows on August 17, 1958, and celebrated her 70^th anniversary of religious profession on April 6, 2024. She was the youngest of four Brehony siblings to enter the Congregation.
 
She earned her bachelor’s degree in history from St. Edward’s University in Austin in 1967 and received a master’s degree in school administration from Our Lady of the Lake University in 1975. She continued her education at St. Thomas University, Houston; St. Mary’s University, San Antonio; Oblate School of Theology, San Antonio; Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge, MA; and Nueces County Mediation in Corpus Christi.
 
Sister’s teaching and administration experience in Catholic schools spanned 45 years. She taught elementary & junior high grades from 1955-1969 at Incarnate Word Academy in Brownsville, St. Patrick School in Corpus Christi, Immaculate Conception School in Goliad, and Blessed Sacrament School in Laredo. From 1969-1978, she served as principal and part-time teacher at Blessed Sacrament School in Laredo, Christ the King School and Incarnate Word Junior High in Corpus Christi. She served as principal full-time at Incarnate Word Junior High, Sacred Heart/Cathedral Schools, and Christ the King School, all in Corpus Christi, from 1978 to 2000. From 2001-2013, she served as Director of Religious Education (DRE) at St. Gertrude Parish in Kingsville. She was also a member of several school boards, councils, and committees, including parish and finance councils.
 
After retiring from the DRE position, Sister moved back to Corpus Christi, where she was appointed Sister-in-Charge at Incarnate Word Motherhouse. On the Congregational level, she was elected to serve on the Leadership Team from 1992-2000 (two four-year terms) and again from 2016-2020. She was a member of various commissions and committees, including Education, Ministry, Justice and Peace, and Ongoing Formation. She was a delegate to General Chapters. 
 
After her full retirement in 2020, she worked with the Congregation’s Action Group on Immigration, helping to meet the basic needs of immigrants at the Texas border. She collected clothing and hygiene articles and sent them with Sisters traveling to Brownsville for delivery to the Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center.
 
Over the years, Sister Colette enjoyed traveling to Ireland, Scotland, and Italy. Baking was an outlet for stress. She had a green thumb and grew beautiful African violets. Other leisurely activities were listening to music (even Elvis Presley!) and reading novels and historical books.
 
Funeral arrangements will be provided by Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Service. Services will be held on Friday, January 16, at St. Patrick’s Church, 3350 S. Alameda, Corpus Christi, TX, as follows:
 
Viewing: 9:15 am
Rosary:  9:30 am
Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 am
Burial: 11:30 am at Rose Hill Cemetery
 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Incarnate Word Sisters Retirement Fund”, Attention: Sr. Anna Marie Espinosa, 5201 Lipes Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78413-5501.