Born on 8 February 1894 in South Yarrawonga, Victoria, Australia, Ellen O'Doherty was the daughter of Joseph and Agnes Dorherty.

This was a challenging time, as she had to manage the hospital's financial affairs in the midst of the Depression.

[1] She was assigned as rectress in the hospital in Toowoomba for two years during World War II, where she oversaw care for wounded soldiers.

[1] In 1949, she was elected superior general of the Australian Congregation of the Sisters of Charity for a six-year term.

[5] She also purchased property in Wahroonga, New South Wales, for a new novitiate, to accommodate increasing numbers of women seeking to join the order.

O'Doherty travelled to Rome in 1952 for an international gathering of superiors general of Roman Catholic religious orders for women.

[1] She was re-elected as superior in 1955, but was forced out of the position by a small group of opponents.