Sister Gabriella Lohan died peacefully at her home, Convent of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate on November 25, 2025. The daughter of Mark and Kathleen Lohan, Anne Bernadette (Nita) Lohan, was born in County Galway, Ireland on February 11, 1940.  In 1958, she entered the Sisters of the Holy Spirit in San Antonio where she was given the name Sister Mary Gabriella. This new name turned out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy. St. Gabriel is the patron saint of messengers and communicators.  Sister Gabriella spent her religious life as a messenger of hope for the marginalized and a communicator who saw her task as one who was called "to speak to the weary a word that would rouse them".

Both of her parents were educators, and their scholarly passion lit a fire for learning that illuminated Sr. Gabriella's whole life. She was an elementary teacher for 10 years at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Little Flower Schools in San Antonio, Immaculate Conception School in Gregory and Holy Ghost School in Houston. For the next 21 years of ministry, she served as a principal at Good Shepherd School, Garland, TX; St Mary's School, Brownsville, TX; and Little Flower School in San Antonio.

In 1989, she began her 21-year tenure as the treasurer of the congregation and was instrumental in the selling of the large, historic Motherhouse and the building of the new motherhouse across the street. During her time as treasurer, she began her connection with COPS/Metro to address the social justice issues facing the City of San Antonio.

Sr. Gabriella described COPS/Metro as a power organization.  "Power", she said, "is the ability to act and to get others to act." She marveled at what poor people and rich people could do together if they were properly trained and had good hearts.  In time, Sr. Gabriella became one of the voices of conscience in San Antonio where the lives of the underserved were concerned.  She had mayors, city judges, and other leaders on speed dial.  When she had a searing concern, she spoke to the stewards of government and finance directly.  One of her earliest projects in local community organizing was Project Quest, a professional jobs training program, formed in response to the closing of the Levi Strauss Plant. She credited her time with COPS/Metro with transforming her thinking and broadening her perspective.

Sister Gabriella is mourned by her sisters Máire Lohan, Brenda Granville, Sister Carmel Lohan, RSM and Deirdre Lohan and her brother, Gabriel (and Freda) Lohan, her nieces and nephews and their families, her religious community, and her many friends.

All funeral Services will be held at

Holy Redeemer Catholic Church

1819 Nevada Street,

San Antonio, Texas 78203

Sunday, November 30th:

Viewing from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Monday, December 1st:

Viewing at 9:00 AM followed by: Rosary at 10:00 AM

Mass of Christian Burial

11:00 AM

After Mass she will be interred in the community cemetery.

Donations in Sr. Gabriella's honor can be made to Little Flower School

(905 Kentucky Ave, San Antonio. TX 78201)

(Live streaming of the Rosary and Mass can be accessed at www.Facebook.com/HolyRedeemer1901)