Sr. Dehra Marie Elliott

Sister Dehra Marie Elliot (formerly Sr. Mary Sheila), a Sister of St. Joseph for 76 years entered eternal life at Mt. St. Mary Convent in Wichita, Kansas on Dec. 20, 2025. 

She was born on Jan. 2, 1932 in New Orleans to the late Francis Berchman Elliot and Enola M. Hanneman and is preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Father Clyde J. Elliot, SJ,   Norval F. Elliot, Sr., Father Larion J. Elliot, SJ, Brother John Filmore Elliot, SJ and her sisters Sister Oenone Elliot, CSJ, Yska M. Sierra and Sheila M. Elliot. Sister Dehra is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. 

Sister Dehra graduated from St. Joseph Academy, New Orleans and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1949. She professed final vows in 1954.  Her educational background includes a bachelor's of science  in elementary education and a master's degree in secondary education from Loyola University in New Orleans.  A life-long learner, Sister Dehra took advantage of numerous on-going formation and continuing education courses throughout her life.  

Her years of teaching and service began at our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary in New Orleans. She served in schools in South Louisiana including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Grand Coteau, Norco and Morgan City.  Following her retirement from teaching, she served as Director of House Manager at Blessing Place in Lacombe, Louisiana and Activities Director at Wynhoven Apartment in Marerro, Louisiana and Christopher Inn in New Orleans, two senior living facilities sponsored by the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  Sister Dehra retired from active teaching in 2009 and in 2010 moved to Mt. St. Mary in Wichita, Kansas for medical treatment. She returned to Louisiana in 2011 and resided at the Sisters of St. Joseph Hundred Oaks Retirement Center until her final move to Mt. St. Mary in Wichita, Kansas in 2023.

Mass of Resurrection followed by internment was at Mt. St. Mary Retirement Center on Jan. 2, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.  Memorials in her name may be sent to the Congregation of St.  Joseph Retirement Fund, Dear Neighbor Ministries, Inc. or StepStone Ministries, Inc. at Mt. St. Mary, 3700 E. Lincoln St., Wichita, KS 67218