Bridget Mary, or "Bridie", was born on November 8th, 1940 as one of Philip and Mary Olwell’s 7 children in County Meath, Ireland and was baptized the next day in St. Mary’s Church in Moynalty.  She entered the congregation of the Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk just shy of her 20th birthday.  At the time, the US Province had so many sisters from Ireland, people often took them as an Irish order.

Professing her final vows in 1966 and originally known as Sr. John Martin, Sr. Bridget went on to teach for the next three decades.  With a BS from St. John’s University, MA from St. Joseph’s College, and additional accreditations from Fordham University,  she shared knowledge in a gentle and joyful way, but more than that, she shared her faith with all of her students.  Sr. Bridget served at St. Maurice (Stamford, CT), Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Ozone Park, NY), St. Thomas the Apostle (West Hartford, CT), St. Gregory the Great (Bellerose, NY),  Our Lady Star of the Sea (Stamford, CT).  She was also a beloved principal at St. William the Abbot School (Seaford, NY) for 8 years.

Following her retirement from teaching, Sr. Bridget served the Ursuline community in leadership capacities and was a pastoral associate at the Church of St. Margaret (Middle Village, NY).  She lived, worked, and worshipped with the people of St. Margaret's for over 30 years, and remained close to the parish even when she moved away.

Sr. Bridget spent the last year and a half at the St. William the Abbot Convent where the parish and school community excitedly welcomed her back with open arms and where she was a fixture at daily Mass, school events, and parish activities.

In August of 2026, Sr. Bridget returned home to Ireland to visit with her family.   While there, she suffered a stroke and spent the next week in hospital.  She was cared for by the wonderful medical staff at Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda while her family – brothers Paddy, Philip, and Martin, sisters-in-law Pat, Mary, and Betty, and multiple nieces and nephews - never left her side.

Sister is predeceased by her parents Philip and Mary, her brothers Peter and John, her sister Liz, sister-in-law Margaret, and brother-in-law Roger.  Per her wishes, she will be buried in Ireland, not far from where she grew up.  Memorial Masses will also be celebrated at St. Margaret's and St. William the Abbot.

The epitome of a faithful servant until her last weeks, her memory is a blessing to all who encountered her and she will be remembered with love.

Funeral Information:
 Saturday, August 22nd – 11am (6am EST)
 Church of the Assumption
 Moynalty, Co Meath, Ireland
 Please click here to view a livestream of the Mass

Memorial Masses:
Saturday, August 29th - 11am                                        
St. Margaret RC Church
6605 79th Place
Middle Village, New York 

TBD
St. William the Abbot RC Church
2000 Jackson Avenue
Seaford, New York

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Donations in Sr. Bridget’s memory may be made by clicking here.