Sister Helena Kelly

Obituary Sister Helena Kelly Aston, PA. Sister Helena Kelly, OSF, (formerly Sister Marie Columbkill), 67, died in St. Ann Convent, Tacoma, on February 18. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 47 years. Sister Helena was born in Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland, where she was a member of St. Michael Parish. She entered the congregation in 1959 and professed her first vows in 1962. Sister Helena earned a B.A. in Education from Fort Wright College, Spokane, and a Masters in Education from the University of San Diego. Sister Helena ministered in the Archdiocese of Seattle for nine years. She taught at St. Charles Borromeo School in Tacoma. For the last seven years she worked at St. Francis House in Puyallup, serving first as a tutor and then as assistant to the clothing bank manager. Additional ministry in Washington included teaching at St. Charles School in Spokane. Sister Helena also ministered in both Portland and Baker, Oregon; San Bernardino, Corona, and San Diego, California; and St. Stephens, Wyoming. Sister Helena is survived by her sister, Maureen Loftus; her brother, John Kelly; her nieces and nephews; and by her Franciscan family. All services will be held at St. Ann Convent, 6602 S. Alaska St., Tacoma. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Friday, February 20th, 2009. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Rd. Aston, PA 19014. Please leave online condolences at www.GaffneyCares.com Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.