Mother Helena Dillon, born in February 1854, served as president of Villa Maria College from 1925 until her death in June 1942. During her leadership, she oversaw many milestones in the college’s early history, including the first day of classes in 1925 and the inaugural commencement of 1928. Under her guidance, the College Orchestra was formed, the Alumnae Association was founded and the first Student Handbook was published. Villa Maria College achieved accreditation by the Middle States Commission and received approval from the Pennsylvania State Council of Education. During her tenure, the college also conferred its first degrees in Sociology and Business Education.
Mother Helena also played a role in the expansion of the Sisters of St. Joseph’s broader mission, including the significant growth of St. Mary’s Home for the aged—adding space for 70 residents between 1929 and 1930, and another 32 rooms in 1941. In 1938, her sister Mary Bateman donated the Reed Estate to the Sisters of St. Joseph, which was blessed by Bishop ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ and named Maryvale. It became an extension of Villa Maria Academy and the Villa Maria Conservatory of Music. Beyond the college, Mother Helena served as the leader of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania from 1917 to 1942, a period marked by spiritual growth and educational advancement, including the celebration of the congregation’s Diamond Jubilee. Her life was one of service, dedication and enduring impact on both the college and the wider community.
Mother Aurelia A’Hearn, born in January 1898, was a deeply committed educator and administrator who served as President of Villa Maria College from 1942 to 1966 and led the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania until 1967. She held a bachelor’s degree in Latin from Canisius College and a master’s degree in Latin from St. Bonaventure University. During her presidency, she was instrumental in expanding educational opportunities and strengthening the college’s academic programs. In 1952, she founded the Villa Maria School of Nursing and later secured approval from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nurse Examiners for a collegiate nursing program. She also conferred nursing degrees to students who had completed hospital training for RN certification, broadened the Elementary Education program to include lay students, and introduced a Cadet or Trainee program.
Under her leadership, Villa Maria became a regional center for the National Enthronement of the Sacred Heart and was officially admitted as an American Red Cross Station. In 1960, she supervised the relocation of the college to a new 45-acre campus on West Eighth Street, and in 1964, oversaw the completion of a new gymnasium. Beyond the college, Mother Aurelia directed numerous building initiatives, including expansions of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Erie and Spencer Hospital in Meadville, as well as the construction of St. Mary’s Geriatric Hospital. She also founded several Catholic elementary schools in Erie—St. Paul’s, Our Lady of Peace and Our Lady’s Christian—and converted part of the Villa Maria Convent into an infirmary for aging sisters. Her legacy is one of growth, service, and a lifelong commitment to education and health care. She passed away in September 1974.
Sister M. Lawreace Antoun, born in September 1927, was a pioneering educator and leader whose presidency at Villa Maria College from 1966 to 1988 was marked by visionary growth and innovation. A dedicated scholar, she earned her Bachelor of Science from Villa Maria College in 1954 and continued her education with a Master of Science and postgraduate work at Notre Dame University. Before becoming president, she served as a chemistry professor at Villa from 1955 to 1966. As president, she restructured the Board of Trustees, leading to the election of its first lay member, and spearheaded a host of academic and student-focused initiatives. In 1969, she initiated the Freshman Year of Students program, opened a Learning Disabilities Lab—which evolved into the Perceptual Development Center—and introduced continuing education opportunities for women. She established a Career Counseling Center, a Reading Clinic and launched therapeutic and recreational activities, while also expanding the curriculum with programs in Early Childhood Education, Social Work (in partnership with Mercyhurst College), Dietetics, Public Relations, Information and Advertising, Healthcare Planning and Administration, and a School Nurse Practitioner track.
Under her leadership, the college added a Lecture Hall, developed new departments in Humanities and Human Behavior, and redefined its mission statement. She also championed the creation of REAP (Returning to Education Adult Program), formed the President’s Council, adopted a new college logo, and oversaw the growth of the alumnae base to over 5,000 graduates. Beyond the college, Sister Lawreace served on the corporate boards of Hamot Medical Center and Saint Vincent Health Center, chaired the Pennsylvania State Board of Education and acted as executive director of the McMannis Educational Trust Fund. A tireless advocate for women’s education, she received honorary doctorates from Gannon University and Marymount Manhattan College and was named a Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania in 1990. In 1987, she was honored with the Alexis de Tocqueville Award from the United Way of Erie for her outstanding volunteer service. Sister Lawreace passed away in March 1994, leaving behind a powerful legacy of leadership, compassion and educational advancement.
Sister Leonie Shanley, born in October 1927, was a dedicated educator and leader whose lifelong commitment to service left a lasting impact on both Villa Maria College and the broader Erie community. She earned a B.A. in French from Villa Maria College and a M.A. in French from Case Western Reserve University, with additional studies at Catholic and Fairfield Universities. Her early teaching career included positions at several schools in Erie and Bradford, Pa., including Villa Maria Academy and Bradford Central Christian High School. From 1968 to 1973, she served as Dean of Students at Villa Maria College before going on to lead the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania from 1973 to 1981. In 1988, she became President of Villa Maria College, serving until 1989—a pivotal time that saw the awarding of the college’s first Distinguished Alumni Award, the official merger of Villa Maria College with Gannon University and the cementing of the Villa Maria College of Nursing within the new structure. That same year, she was appointed the first female Vice President of Gannon University and dean of the Villa Maria College within ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ. Under her leadership, the Sisters of St. Joseph Thanksgiving Dinner was launched, becoming a cherished community tradition that has grown to serve nearly 1,000 free Thanksgiving dinners each year.
Throughout her career, Sister Leonie served on numerous boards, including those of Villa Maria College, Villa Maria Academy, Saint Vincent Health Center, Spencer Hospital and several diocesan high schools. In recognition of her service, she received a Ph.D. Honoris Causa from Gannon University and the Médaille D’Or Award from Saint Mary’s Home of Erie. She also co-authored “Come to the Waters,” a historical account of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Sister Leonie passed away in August 2017, remembered for her pioneering leadership, compassionate service and deep commitment to faith and education.
