03/18/2026
Congratulations to our sister Sheila who is being honored as an Aide to the Grand Marshall in the Yonkers St. Patrick's Day on March 21st. This is well deserved honor indeed for all her dedication and service to our Division. We look forward to celebrating you on Saturday! 💚🇮🇪☘️
Our 2nd aide to the Grand Marshall William Fitzpatrick is
Sheila M. Halligan
Sheila M. Halligan is the oldest daughter of Patricia and James Halligan. A dual citizen of Ireland and the US, her paternal grandparents emigrated from County Mayo and her maternal great-grandparents from Kilkenny and Carlow. She spent her first 10 years in Yonkers, attending St. Joseph’s School in Bronxville, with her sister Colleen. Sheila is a parishioner of St. Joseph’s. Most Sunday afternoons, she keeps her father’s love of Irish music alive, by tuning into Ceol na nGael on WFUV.
At The Ursuline School, Sheila was a member of the Gaelic Society, and at SUNY Geneseo, studying Elementary Education, she joined the Irish Student Union and Royal Lady Knights, a social-service organization. A semester at St. Patrick’s College in Drumcondra, Dublin, sparked a passion for traveling and experiencing local cultures.
While earning a Master’s in Literacy from The College of New Rochelle, Sheila followed her grandmother’s and parents’ footsteps to teach in the Bronx with the NYC Dept. of Education. She is in her 20th year at Yonkers Public Schools, after teaching in Mount Vernon, North Rockland, as well as England and Italy. She earned a second Master’s in School Leadership from The College of Saint Rose and a Gifted Learning Certificate from CUNY Hunter. She is currently a Reading Teacher at PEARLS Hawthorne, a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School.
A lifeguard for over 30 years, Sheila is Pool Director at Larchmont Yacht Club. Each July, she participates in an open water swim in Long Island Sound with Swim Across America, raising money for cancer research in the NYC area. This summer, she has a new role with SAA-LIS, coordinating pool swims, for those who wish to join the fundraising in the comfort of a pool.
Sheila enjoys skiing and swimming in new places, and plans visit all 50 states, with only 6 to go. At the Davenport Club, she is learning pickleball, and relaxes on the beach. She enjoys sharing a good laugh with good friends.
In 2011, Sheila joined the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Our Lady of Knock, Division 19, Yonkers. She has enjoyed the camaraderie of her sisters and currently serves as Secretary. Sheila is beyond proud to represent her sisters as an Aide to the 2026 Grand Marshal on McLean Ave
