Unateresa Sheahan-Gormley

Unateresa Sheahan Gormley  passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026, surrounded by her loving  family and dear friends after a long and valiant battle with cancer. She  leaves behind a remarkable legacy rooted in Irish tradition, community,  leadership, and unwavering love.  A proud first-generation Irish American, Unateresa was born in the Bronx, New York, to her beloved parents, Teresa McNamee of Cloonelly, Co. Longford, and  Michael Sheahan of Glenbeigh, Co. Kerry. She was raised in a family  deeply devoted to Irish culture, faith, and community values that shaped  the course of her extraordinary life. The Sheahan Family were well-known in the Bronx for their passion of Irish dance, music, sport, and service and Unateresa carried that legacy forward with pride.

From the age of three, Unateresa was immersed in Irish dance, training with the Anna O'Sullivan School  of Irish Dance. A gifted and determined performer, she won her first  open championship at just eight years old and traveled to Ireland  annually to compete in feiseanna across the country. By age eleven, she had placed sixth at the Oireachtas and qualified for the World Irish Dancing Championships-an early sign of the excellence she would carry throughout her life.

Her talents extended beyond dance. Unateresa was also an accomplished musician, earning third place in violin at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in  Ireland and recording with the Glincastle Céilí Band under the  direction of Martin Mulvihill and Mick Moloney, producers of the  acclaimed program, "A Living Tradition." Dance and music were not simply  pursuits-they were part of her soul. 

While her achievements as a performer were extraordinary, Unateresa's greatest  legacy lies in her lifelong dedication to teaching and mentoring the  next generation. She began teaching at just 16 years old and went on to  work with numerous Irish cultural organizations before founding the Sheahan-Gormley School of Irish Dance, a celebrated institution that produced many accomplished and champion dancers. As a certified TCRG teacher registered nationally and with An Coimisiún in Dublin, she brought excellence, discipline, and heart to everything she did.

Unateresa had  a profound love for children and young people. She possessed a rare  gift for nurturing confidence, instilling pride, and inspiring a deep  connection to heritage. She believed strongly in the potential of youth,  often saying that their willingness to learn and grow was one of life's  greatest rewards. Through her generosity, she provided many students  with scholarships to travel to Ireland, where they studied Irish dance  and culture firsthand- experiences  that changed lives and strengthened cultural bonds for generations. Her  dedication to youth extended further as the founder of Irish American  Young Leaders, a program devoted to promoting Irish culture while  fostering leadership, community, and global connection among young  people. Through this initiative, she created opportunities for young  Irish Americans to study in Ireland, including programs in Donegal,  Roscommon, Limerick, and Galway.

Unateresa's impact reached far beyond the classroom. She was the CEO and Cultural Director of the Big Apple Feis &  Fleadh, a Director of the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and  Florida Centers for the Rose of Tralee, and a proud and active member of  the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians. She  served on numerous boards, including the Celtic Irish American Academy  in Galway, and held leadership roles across countless Irish and cultural  organizations.  She also was the CEO and Director of the not for profit, Irish American Young Leaders.  Irish American Young Leaders is a nonprofit organization founded by Unateresa Sheahan-Gormley with a mission to connect young people with their Irish heritage and culture while encouraging community service, leadership, and giving back to others. The organization is open to young adults ages 14 and older who are interested in learning more about their Irish heritage, becoming active in their communities, developing leadership skills, and making a positive difference through service to others.  We are also excited to be working toward the creation of a Junior Irish American Young Leaders group for children ages 9–13. This program will introduce younger members to Irish heritage and traditions while giving them an early start in community service, volunteerism, and the importance of helping others.  Our goal is to inspire the next generation to celebrate their Irish heritage, serve their communities, and become tomorrow’s leaders.

In  recognition of her lifelong dedication to Irish culture and community,  Unateresa had the great honor of serving as the 2024 Grand Marshal of  the Mid-Hudson St. Patrick's Parade, a distinction that reflected the  deep respect and admiration she earned throughout her life.

She  and her husband, Sam (Omagh, Co. Tyrone), were also deeply committed to  humanitarian work, serving as a host family for children from Northern  Ireland with Project Children, offering them respite and connection  during difficult times of conflict. In later years, they continued this  mission by hosting and sponsoring young adult interns from Ireland.

Unateresa's  accomplishments were widely recognized. She was named a "Pinnacle  Professional" by Continental Who's Who, served as an Ambassador for  Tourism Ireland, and received numerous honors, including the Irish Woman  of the Year Award in 2007, the Irish Echo Community Champion Award in  2017, and the 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award by Irish Dancing  Magazine. She and Sam were also named "Celts of the Year" by the  Greenwood Lake Gaelic Cultural Society.  After  building her life in the Bronx, Unateresa and Sam made their home in  beloved Greenwood Lake, where they lived for over 25 years, becoming  pillars of the Hudson Valley Irish community.

Above  all, Unateresa was a devoted wife to her beloved husband, Sam Gormley,  and a loving and proud mother to her cherished son, Shea Anthony. Her  family was her heart, and she filled their lives with love, strength,  and grace.

Known  for her kindness, generosity, and vibrant spirit, Unateresa had an  extraordinary ability to uplift others. She lived by her belief that  life's greatest purpose is to give of oneself, to open doors, to support  others, and to make a difference, especially in the lives of children.

Unateresa  Sheahan Gormley will be deeply missed by her loving family, her devoted  students, her wide circle of friends, and the countless communities she  so faithfully served. Her legacy will live on in every dancer she  inspired, every young leader she mentored, and every life she touched.

May she rest in eternal peace, and may the road rise up to meet her.

Donations may be made to Irish American Young Leaders, PO Box 1762, Greenwood Lake, NY 10925.