1943-2025
Born: 16th August 1943
Entered Religious Life: 5th October 1970
Died: 14th March 2025
Sr Helena Marie, was born in Co Tyrone in 1943 in Northern Ireland, to parents Ellen and Peter. Alice Kathleen, as she was known to all the family was the third of five children, brothers, Frank, Peter and Jim and her sister, Roseann, who very sadly died just 2 weeks before Alice in February.
Alice had a special primary School Teacher, who sparked her interest in Religious life and being a Missionary in Africa and the Far East.
Alice moved to Belfast to train a nurse and while there met the Legion of Mary, who became part of her spiritual journey, Alice later realised that she could bring her Nursing and her spirituality together and was later directed to the Religious Sisters of Charity in Dublin and entered in 1970.
After her profession in 1973 Sr Helena Marie was Missioned to St Patrick’s in Cork, and she then began, 50 years working in various areas of Nursing and Health Care.
Helena Marie moved to Joseph’s Hackney in 1975, she become one of the first Nurses on the newly formed and pioneering Multi-Disciplinary Home Care Service operating out of the Hospice. Helena brought her own special gifts she was particularly known for her gentleness, compassion and her ability to foster team working in the new group.
Dr Richard Lamberton later wrote about the new venture in ‘East End Doc’ giving Helena the alias of – ‘Sr Serena’ in the book. Indeed, Helena maintained a sense of serenity all during her life and never outwardly appeared ruffled or stressed!
Sr Helena moved on in time and served in Nursing and Management roles in all the Hospices of the Congregation, from Clydebank, Airdrie, Hackney, Harold’s Cross, Dublin and Cork.
It was not until 2009, that Sr Helena finally achieved her childhood dream of being a ‘Missionary’ when she asked to go for a short time to Ozoro in Southern Nigeria. She appreciated the experience very much and loved meeting the Sisters, she later wrote of her joy in having the opportunity to visit at last, the great Continent of Africa.
Education and Training was very important to Helena and during her life, in addition to Registered General Nursing, she was a Registered Midwife, District Nurse and gained an MSc in Health Service Management.
Helena enjoyed Sabbatical time in the Holy Land and Spain.
She returned to St Joseph’s Hackney, in 2010 working part time in Chaplaincy in the Hospice. One former colleague described Helena as having ‘a great sense of composure and confidence, but underneath all of that lay huge amounts of compassion and an infectious sense of humour’
In 2020 Helena was appointed Provincial Bursar and later in 2021 she was appointed a member of the Provincial Leadership Team.
Helena carefully took account every detail of any matter that was under consideration, so you had to have all the facts ready but even so, Helena would still be reflecting on the matter 2 weeks later!
Helena was kind, generous and always saw endless good in others. She had a lovely spirit of hospitality and made everyone feel welcome and cared for. She quietly operated in the background ensuring no one was left out or any task left undone, especially the dishwasher!
Helena enjoyed walking in the local park visiting Westminster Cathedral.
Sadly, in December 2024, Sr Helena was diagnosed with a terminal illness, she was graced with a great sense of peace from that moment. During these last months, we were all privileged to care for Helena here in the Convent, while she accepted her illness with in peace and calmness, she remained very strong in spirit and indeed she employed her management skills and began organising all of us, including her family according to our talents!
The readings and hymns, which Alice chose for today, contains within them a message of hope and love, as a parting gift to each of us! So in the words of Christ in the Gospel reading: ‘Let not your hearts be troubled’ – today! But as we know no account can ever encompass a life or express our love and loss.
Alice Kathleen McGilly – Sr Helena Marie was a loved member of her family, a woman of commitment and dedication as a Religious Sister of Charity for 55 years.
Our sincere gratitude to all her friends and many Nursing colleagues and very especially to who loved, accompanied and supported Helena’s and especially during her last months.
May Sr Helena Marie now rest in peace – AMEN
