Obituary of Sr. Helen Eugene McNally CSJ

Latham-Sister Helen Eugene McNally, CSJ, 94, died Saturday, December 29, 2012, at St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham, NY. She had been a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet for the past 76 years. Sister Helen, the former Ethna Mary McNally, was born in Belfast, Ireland on March 8, 1918, youngest child of the late Owen and Ellen Radcliffe McNally. When Ethna was a young child, the family moved to Chadwicks, NY. After graduating from St. Francis de Sales High School in Utica, she entered the novitiate of the Sisters of St. Joseph on March 19, 1936 and professed final vows on August 15, 1941. Sister Helen received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in biology, both from The College of Saint Rose. For 37 years, she taught in elementary and secondary schools in the Albany and Syracuse Dioceses. From 1972-1978, Sister Helen was a staff member at Catholic Charities in Utica. Subsequently, she served for 10 years as a patient representative at St. Clare's Hospital, Schenectady, and for 12 years as a volunteer tutor at the Albany County Jail. In 2001, Sister Helen retired to performing community in-service at St. Joseph's Provincial House. Sister Helen was a woman of faith, determination and purpose. Fiercely proud of her Irish heritage, her quick-witted, no-nonsense approach to life placed her in good stead whether she was teaching young people, visiting hospital patients or tutoring prisoners. Sister Helen's active life of ministry, prayer and community enabled her to touch many lives as a Sister of St. Joseph. She leaves a lasting legacy of strength, service, loyalty and perseverance. Sister Helen is survived her niece, Elaine McNally, her nephews, Leo, Stephen, John and Eugene McNally; nine grandnieces and grandnephews; several dear friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In addition to her parents, Sister Helen was predeceased by four brothers: Edward, Brian, Kevin (Rev. Kevin, SSC), and Leo; four sisters: Sister Kathleen, SSL, Sister Mary Natalie, SSL, Eileen and Irene; and many dear friends in the Sisters of St. Joseph. Sister Helen Eugene's funeral Liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, January 3, at 10:30 a.m. in the chapel of St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham, with Most Rev. Harry J. Flynn, Archbishop Emeritus of Saint Paul-Minneapolis, officiating. Interment will be in Our Lady Queen of Virgins Cemetery on the Provincial House grounds. Calling hours will be held at the Provincial House on Wednesday, January 2 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Contributions in Sister Helen's memory may be made to the Development Office of the Sisters of St. Joseph, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY 12110. For directions, information or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.