MacARTHUR, Sister Helen, 88, formerly Sister Mary Leo, a Sister of St. Martha of Antigonish, died at Bethany, the Motherhouse, on Saturday, April 29th, 2017. She was in the 59th year of religious life.
Born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, she was the daughter of the late Neil R. and Ann (MacDonald) MacArthur.
Helen received her RN from St. Martha’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1952. She had two years experience at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Boston, MA, and one year private duty nursing at Deaconess Hospital, also in Boston, prior to entering the Sisters of St. Martha on February 15, 1956. Sister Helen pronounced her first vows on February 15, 1958 and her perpetual commitment on August 15, 1961. Sister nursed in CSM health care facilities in Antigonish, NS; Glace Bay, Cape Breton; Regina, SK; and Banff, AB. She also ministered at the Pictou County detox centre as a nurse/counsellor. Sr. Helen continued her health care ministry following her retirement from nursing by providing pastoral care at the RK MacDonald Guest House, a commitment she carried on as a volunteer until her move to Bethany in 2009.
One of Sister Helen’s most beloved ministries was that of walking on Main Street in Antigonish. She seemed to know everyone, and many knew her. Everyone she encountered was greeted with a smile and a warm ‘Hello’, followed often with laughter.
Sister Helen was the third youngest in a family of thirteen. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters Catherine, Mary MacLeod, Rita Gillis and Theresa Steele, and her brothers Leo Neil, James Earl, Gerald, Donald, Roderick and Ronald. She is survived by her sisters Leone and Sister Genevieve, CSM. Sister is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
The remains will be resting at Bethany, beginning on Monday, May 1st at 1:15 p.m. A Celebration of Vigil will be held on the same evening at 7:30. Liturgy of Christian burial will take place on Tuesday, May 2nd at 2:00 p.m. in Bethany Chapel.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of C.L. Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish, N.S. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com