Sister M. Helen Hemmer, IHM, of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, died on Friday, May 18, at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She was born on Oct. 6, 1927, in Syracuse and given the name Elizabeth. She was the daughter of the late Nicholas and Helen O’Connor Hemmer. She entered the IHM Congregation on Sept. 8, 1946, and made her temporary profession of vows on May 8, 1949, and her final profession of vows on Aug. 2, 1952.
Sister Helen served as a teacher at the following schools: Mt. Holly Regional Catholic School in Mt. Holly, N.J., from 1949 to 1950 and 1965 to 1966; St. Ephrem Elementary School in Brooklyn, from 1950 to 1961; Holy Trinity Elementary School in Poughkeepsie, from 1961 to 1965; Most Holy Rosary Elementary School in Syracuse, from 1973 to 1974; and Bishop Hannon High School in Scranton, Pa., from 1980 to 1982.
Sister served as principal in the following schools: St. Matthew Elementary School in Wilmington, Del., from 1966 to 1970; and Hollidaysburg Catholic School in Hollidaysburg, Pa., from 1978 to 1980.
Sister Helen also served as a staff member in the Diocesan Office for Religious Education in Scranton, Pa., from 1970 to 1973; IHM religious education consultant from 1974 to 1978; certified nursing assistant at Marian Convent in Scranton, Pa., from 1982 to 1984; assistant to the curator of the art gallery at Marywood College in Scranton, Pa., from 1984 to 1986; coordinator of religious education for the Archdiocese of Baltimore from 1986 to 1989; and consultant for spiritual formation from 2008 to 2009.
Sister Helen was a consultant with William H. Sadlier, Inc. from 1989 to 2007.
From 2009 until the time of her death, Sister Helen was a prayer minister at Our Lady of Peace Residence in Scranton.
She received a bachelor of science degree and a master of science degree in education, and a master of science degree in religious studies from Marywood College. She also received a certified nursing assistant certificate from Saint Joseph’s Hospital.
She is preceded in death by two brothers, Francis J. and Paul M.; and a sister, Helen Rita Clover.
She is survived by a brother, Nicholas of Poughkeepsie; a sister, Sister M. Rosarii, IHM, of Scranton, Pa.; nieces and nephews; and the members of the IHM Congregation.
The funeral was held May 23 with Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Peace Residence, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton. Interment followed Mass at St. Catherine’s Cemetery in Moscow, Pa.
Memorial contributions may be made to support the retired IHM Sisters c/o the IHM Sisters Retirement Fund, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, Pa., 18509.
