Sheila O' Connor Radell

Sheila A. O'Connor Radell, 86, died Saturday, January 28, 2012. She had been a resident of Manor Care in Topeka the past three years. Sheila was born July 10, 1925 in Topeka, the daughter of Dr. Thomas A. O'Connor, an accomplished surgeon, and Mary A. Hoffman O'Connor, a concert pianist for several years and a loving wife and mother for many more years. Sheila graduated from Capitol Catholic High School (now Hayden High School). While a student there she was awarded a scholarship from the Dramatic Institute of Denver University, a four week course in dramatics and stage production, awarded to 25 girls and boys from across the United States. She merited the award for her outstanding work done in the speech department of the school and for her superior talent and ability in dramatics. She was also an honor student and an accomplished vocalist, having taken honors in both the regional and national music festivals. She represented the high school in the Kansas state apologetics contest and in the national Council of Catholic Women Oratorical contest. She entered the speech festival at Kansas University and won first place in dramatic reading and second place in prose reading. Sheila attended St. Mary College in Leavenworth on a scholastic scholarship. She then attended the Julliard School of Music in New York City, where she earned a B.S. degree in Voice in 1949. Sheila sang at a variety of events and venues for several years before beginning her long career at the Topeka Public Library in December of 1957. She earned her Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Denver and was named head of the Children's Department in 1960. Upon her retirement in 1988, after almost 30 years of service, there was a wonderful article in the newspaper detailing her devotion to her job and the people's lives she had touched, especially those of children. Under her guidance, the Children's Department evolved as did changes in society. The library remained a popular place for Topeka children, due in no small part, to the ongoing efforts of Sheila and her staff to expand services and opportunities for the young clientel. It was estimated by the library director, James Marvin, that she reached over 100,000 children during her three decades of service. The library hosted a retirement party in her honor, complete with songs written especially for her and sung to well known Irish tunes. Sheila and Clarence "Doc" Radell were united in marriage October 31, 1964 at Holy Name Catholic Church where they were parishioners. They enjoyed horse races, fishing, gardening and spending time with family and friends. They were deeply devoted and very much in love until his death in 2002. Survivors include her nephews, Tom Murry and his wife, Hildace, and Tom O'Brien and his children, Eirin and Kate and Kate's daughter, Makennah. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sisters, Mary Murry and Patricia "Pat" O'Brien. Family will greet friends from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at Mater Dei Holy Name Church, where a parish rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at the Church. Burial will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Please consider a contribution in Sheila’s memory to Mater Dei Holy Name Church, sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614.

Sheila O' Connor Radell

July 10, 1925 - January 28, 2012