SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS - Sister Helen Therese Conway died on April 16, 2020 in Lourdes Hall, St. Mary-of-the-Woods. She was born on Jan. 25, 1926 in Chicago, IL, to Clarence and Daisy McClellan Conway and was baptized Eileen.
Sister entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Providence on Feb. 2, 1948 and professed Final Vows Aug. 15, 1955. She earned a bachelor's degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master's degree from Indiana State University.
Of her 72 years as a Sister of Providence, she ministered in education for 37 years in schools in Indiana, Illinois and California. She served as principal for 15 of those years. She taught at Sacred Heart School in Terre Haute during the 1954-55 school year.
Retiring from teaching in 1987, she returned to the Motherhouse where she served as an administrative assistant in a variety of offices. Even into her middle eighties, she was composing and circulating the Motherhouse information bulletin, Day by Day. Beginning in 2017, she committed herself totally to the ministry of prayer.
Sister Helen Therese was a woman who enjoyed being with people. She had great organizational skills and generously gave many hours to the behind-the-scenes preparation for Congregation events. Yet, she could always find time for socializing with sisters, family and friends.
Sister is survived by nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by five sisters, Ethel McCann, Daisy Meccia, Margaret Villiger, Thoretta Bellio and Dorothy Conway; and three brothers, Robert, Clarence and Patrick Conway.
Due to the restrictions on group meetings, no public wake and funeral are scheduled. Burial is in the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence on April 24. One may share or read memories of Sister Helen Therese on the Sisters of Providence web page at www.spsmw.org/category/obituaries. Burial is in the cemetery of the Sisters of Providence. DeBaun Funeral Homes and Crematory assisted with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876.
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