Prior to her experience in the health field, Judge O'Leary was a school supervisor, principal and teacher. She has a Masters of Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh, Masters of Education from Duquesne University and a Bachelor of Science from Carlow College.

Throughout her career, Judge O'Leary has been instrumental in coordinating extensive legislative planning efforts on local, state and federal levels. She has served on the City of Pittsburgh's Government Study Commission, Model Cities Commission and Allegheny County's Drug and Alcohol Commission. In 1976, she received the Dedicated Service Award from the City of Pittsburgh and, in 1988, participated in the White House Conference for A Drug Free America.

Included in Who's Who in American Women, Judge O'Leary is a past member of the Pennsylvania Elected Women's Association and the Women's Political Caucus of Allegheny County. In 1984, she was named the recipient of Carlow College Alumna Award for Service to Government and Community and in 1997 she was named Carlow College's Woman of Spirit.

A daughter of Irish immigrants, Judge O'Leary has maintained a leadership role in the Irish American community. She serves on the Board of Directors of numerous Irish organizations including Mercy International Centre, Newry Pittsburgh Partnership and the Fermanagh Kirkwood Fund. Judge O'Leary has an international reputation as a peacemaker and has been a frequent speaker at international peace and reconciliation conferences in France, Ireland, and Northern Ireland. She has been a guest of the White House, Stormont Castle in Northern Ireland and the President of Ireland.

Over the past twenty years Judge O'Leary has been instrumental in designing, coordinating and promoting programs focused on economic development, job creation, and reconciliation for Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Judge O'Leary is the first Catholic nun to be appointed to a judgeship as a non-lawyer in the history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

All Current and Past Judges of the Court