CANFIELD--Sister Helen C Shea, OSU, previously known as Sister M. Rose, died on Sunday February 14 at the Ursuline Motherhouse.  She was 88.  Sister Helen was born on May 28, 1927 in Youngstown, the daughter of Philip and Helen Kelly Shea.  She entered the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown on September 8, 1945.   Sister Helen made perpetual profession of vows on August 13, 1951.

Sister Helen attended St. Patrick Elementary School and graduated as valedictorian from Ursuline High School in 1945.  She earned a BS in Education from Youngstown State University in 1954 and an MA in English from the University of Notre Dame in 1961.  In addition, Sister Helen did post-graduate study at Oberlin College, Duquesne University, Fordham University, Franciscan University, and Marygrove College.

In over 65 years of ministry, Sister Helen had a variety of roles.  For many years she taught in local Catholic elementary schools including Immaculate Conception and St Patrick, Youngstown, Our Lady of Lourdes, East Palestine and St. Nicholas, Struthers.  She was Principal at St. Joseph School, Austintown.  She served on the faculty of Cardinal Mooney High School, and was both on the faculty and Assistant Principal at Ursuline High School.  After teaching for many years, Sister Helen began pastoral ministry at several parishes including St. Brendan, St. Anthony, and St. Edward, Youngstown, St. Jude, Columbiana, and St. Joseph, Austintown.  Sister Helen also served the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown as a member of the Leadership Team from 1980-1984.  Most recently Sister Helen served the church and the world through a ministry of prayer at the Ursuline Motherhouse.

Sister Helen was also active in the civic community serving on a variety of boards including Beatitude House,Parkview Counseling Center, Catholic Service League, Catholic Charities, the Budget Review Committee of the Diocese of Youngstown and the Investment Committee of the Diocese of Youngstown.

Sister Helen leaves her Ursuline Sisters in community and two nieces, Paula Ehrhart and Linda Russ of Altoona, PA.  She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Sally Duncan, and two brothers, Neal and Philip Shea.

Funeral services will be at the Ursuline Motherhouse, 4250 Shields Rd, Canfield OH on Wednesday February 17, 2016.  Calling hours begin at 3:15 pm.  A Mass of Christian burial will be at 5:00 pm.  Both are in the Motherhouse Chapel.  Internment will be at Calvary Cemetery on Thursday February 18.

Arrangements were made by McCauley Funeral Home.  Memorial donations can be made to the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown.

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