Sister Brenda (Brenda Mary) Monahan died peacefully on February 28, 2021 at Seton Residence in Evansville, Indiana. Sister Brenda was born on May 23, 1964 in Wildwood, New Jersey and was one of four children of Elizabeth (Ryan) and Michael Monahan. Sister graduated from Tallassee High School in Tallassee, Alabama in 1982 and received a B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama in 1986. She entered the Daughters of Charity in Evansville, Indiana on June 29, 1991.
After initial formation in Emmitsburg, Maryland, Sister Brenda began her ministry in education in Pritchard, Alabama as a teacher and principal. During this time, she also earned her M.A. in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio. In 2003, Sister was missioned to St. Therese School in Jackson, Mississippi to serve as principal of the school until 2009 when she went to Chicago, Illinois to participate in the Vincentian Integration Experience (VIE). In 2010, Sister returned to Alabama as principal of St. Barnabas School in Birmingham and later as Director at Beacon of Hope, Inc. In 2014, Sister Brenda began her ministry as principal of Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg, Maryland until 2019 after which she was missioned to San Antonio, Texas and was asked to serve as Mission Coordinator for Sponsored Works of the Daughters of Charity. She was missioned to Seton Residence in Evansville, Indiana in January 2021 to serve in the ministry of prayer until the time of her death.
Sister Brenda served as the Local Community Superior at St. Vincent Residence, Birmingham, Alabama (2010-2014); and she served on the boards of Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg, Maryland (2014-2019) and Seton Manor in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania (2015-2017).
On March 6, a Wake Service and Mass of Christian Burial were held in the Chapel at Seton Residence; burial followed in St. Joseph Cemetery, Evansville. Sister Brenda was preceded in death by her parents; brother-in-law Vernon Stabler, and sister-in-law Nati Monahan. She is survived by her sister, Patricia Lee Stabler; her two brothers David Michael and William John (and wife Kellie) Monahan; nieces Alexandria Monahan and Shannon Sayler (and husband Matthew); great-niece Lorelei, and great-nephew Caspian; nephews Mitchell and John Monahan; her Sisters in Community; and many friends.