Sister Sharon Breden, 1945-2011

Sister Sharon Breden passed away on April 21, 2011 after a brief illness. She
was born in Alton, Illinois, June 29, 1945. Her loving parents Ralph and Antoinette
Breden preceded her in death. Sr. Sharon is survived by her sister Dr. Mary Catherine
Breden of Redondo Beach, an uncle, Rev. Hilary Filiatreau, OSB; aunts Willene Kasten
(John), Dorothy Mae Filiatreau (Conroy), Joanne Breden (Vern), Mary Alice Breden
(Norman) and numerous cousins in Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Indiana. The Breden
family moved from Illinois to Greenville, South Carolina and then to Redondo Beach,
California in 1955. Sharon entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1963. She
influenced many lives in her teaching and administrative assignments at Queen of All
Saints Elementary School in Concord, CA, Academy of Our Lady of Peace in San Diego,
Carondelet High School in Concord, Star of the Sea High School in San Francisco,
Notre Dame High School in Belmont, CA and finally St. Victor’ s Elementary School
in San Jose, CA where she served as principal for thirteen years. She loved American
history, travel, was an avid reader and most of all knew how to touch people of all ages
through music. She worked in music ministries at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in
Belmont, CA, at Santa Teresa Parish in San Jose, and at the Catholic Center in San Jose’ s
retirement community The Villages. She was an active member and long-time national
board member of the American Choral Directors Association and a valuable volunteer at
Opera San Jose. Her full life and her courageous spirit enriched and inspired everyone
with whom she came in contact.

The Northern California celebration of Sr. Sharon Ann’ s life will be held at St. Victor’ s
Catholic Church, 3108 Sierra Road, San Jose 95132, on Wednesday April 27 at 10:00
am. Following the Mass will be a viewing and reception in the parish hall. The Mass
of Christian Burial will be held in Southern California at the Carondelet Center, 11999
Chalon Road, Los Angeles 90049 on Wednesday May 4 at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be at
10:30 a.m. on Thursday May 5 at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Donations in memory of Sr. Sharon Ann may be sent to the Sisters of St. Joseph of
Carondelet, 11999 Chalon Road, Los Angeles, California, 90045, or to the Ralph E.
Breden Memorial Scholarship Fund, 127 Via Los Altos, Redondo Beach, California
90277.