Josephine Sheahan (nee Linehan)

Rochester, NY: Died peacefully in her 97th year, surrounded by her family and in the wonderful care of the staff at St. Ann’s Nursing Home on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Survived by her devoted children, Mary (Richard) Regula, Daniel Michael & Marguerite (Bill) Opett; grandchildren, Julie (Glenn), Sarah (Mike), Christine( Robert), Richie (Genevieve), Alicia, Jessica & Emily; 3 great-grandchildren, Anthony, Mia and Lucy; many loving nieces and nephews in Ireland, England and Italy & close friends Dorothy, Pat, Joan, Marie, Julie O, Bill, the Maginn family and the DeSa family.  Predeceased by her beloved husband Daniel Sheahan, her parents Bridget and Peter Linehan and her eight siblings: Paddy, Mary Teresa, Kathleen, Matt, Bride, Monica, Henry and Pete. 

Josephine was born in Coolagown, outside of Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland. She was skilled in Morse Code and worked as a teletype operator sending and receiving financial transaction telegrams in Morse code for the General Post Offices of  Cork and Dublin during the 1940s and 1950s. She emigrated to the United States in 1959 and settled in Rochester, NY with her beloved husband, Daniel Sheahan.  She worked briefly for the Stock Exchange in Rochester, NY before starting her family. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Charles Borromeo Church where she taught Faith Formation classes, bread-baking classes and was a member of the Social Justice Committee. She was also a Eucharistic Minister who visited the homebound and nursing home residents.  She enjoyed reading, sewing, and baking bread. She also enjoyed collecting inspirational quotes and studying the Irish language.  Much of her joy came from spending time with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many friends. Josephine was known for her Irish hospitality and gift for making others feel loved. She was a cherished queen to her family and loved by many. 

Josephine’s Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, (August 23rd) 10:00 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 3003 Dewey Ave. Rochester, NY 14616. Mass may be viewed live on YouTube/stcharlesgreece. It will also be available as a recording if you are unable to attend in person.  Interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Reception to follow at Davinci of Greece, 1558 West Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14615. In lieu of flowers, donations  may be made in Josephine’s honor to: Mercy House of Rochester, NY.