Dr. Sheila Ribordy

Dr. Sheila C. Ribordy passed away on Monday, July 11, 2011, at her home in Chicago, Illinois, after an extended and courageous battle with cancer. She was 61 years old and was surrounded by family and friends at the time of her death. Family will receive friends from 5-8:00 p.m. at Baalmann Mortuary, Oakley, KS with a vigil service at 7:00 pm. A memorial mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Oakley, Kansas at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 22, 2011.

Dr. Ribordy was born in Quinter, Kansas to Lenard and Pauline Ribordy. She attended Oakley High School in Oakley, Kansas and subsequently Marymount College, where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in psychology. She went on to earn her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the University of Kansas. From 1975 until her death, Dr. Ribordy was a faculty member of the psychology department at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. She adopted her son, Charles Ribordy, in 1989.

Dr. Ribordy was an outstanding academic whose scholarship was recognized and applauded by her colleagues. She published numerous academic papers, was a frequent presenter at conferences, and served as a member of committees and panels involved in accrediting psychology programs. Her body of work focused broadly on two groups: children who are victimized by abuse and neglect, and children and families living in challenging environmental conditions, such as poverty and community violence. Dr. Ribordy published her own book titled Principles of Psychotherapy With Children and was a co-author of numerous other books in the field of psychology. She was also an excellent instructor and mentor of graduate students. Caring, but still firm, Dr. Ribordy earned the nickname “the Velvet Hammer” from her students. For her teaching excellence, DePaul University bestowed upon Sheila the Cortelyou-Lowery Award For Excellence And Distinguished Faculty.

Dr. Ribordy was also director of DePaul Family and Community Services. During her tenure as director, Dr. Ribordy was instrumental in acquiring grants and other funding that supported the extension of mental health services to persons living in Cabrini Green and Lathrop Homes, some of Chicago's most disadvantaged communities. Sheila also worked to establish programs that provided outreach and support to youths in the juvenile justice system and youths at risk of becoming involved in crime. Dr. Ribordy was recognized by numerous groups for her work at the Mental Health Center, including the American Psychological Association. Recently, Dr. Ribordy’s work was commended by the Illinois House of Representatives in resolution HR0274.

Sheila led a happy, successful, and full life. She carried out St. Vincent DePaul's mission of seeing the good in people and serving the poor and needy. She was always there to help anyone that needed assistance, whether that meant sharing her bathroom with a homeless person or driving home an elderly woman who missed her bus. She simply loved helping others. She also knew that keeping friends and family close was equally, if not more important, as being successful in one's career. She enjoyed many hobbies, including traveling, following the Chicago White Sox, spending time with her family (especially her grandchildren), and playing Scrabble.

Sheila is survived by her son Charles Ribordy and his wife Lucy, her grandchildren Charles, Jr. and Leah Ribordy, her parents, Lenard and Pauline Ribordy, her siblings, Loretta Teeter, Keith Ribordy, Connie Jonely, Leanna VanDonge, Donita Harper, and Kristy Sears, and numerous nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by all.

To honor her life and legacy, the University and her colleagues have established the Dr. Sheila Ribordy Memorial Fund in DePaul Family and Community Services. The purpose of this fund will be to provide support for client families through educational and recreational activities such as field trips, programs or other supplemental services and materials for the many children served by the DePaul Family and Community Services. If you would like more information or wish to make a donation to this fund in Dr. Ribordy's memory, please contact Sara Miller Acosta at 312-362-5383 or smillera@depaul.edu, or the DePaul University Office of Gifts Processing, One East Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60604 or Baalmann Mortuary, P.O. Box 204, Oakley, KS 67748.