Remembering Sister Helen Ryan, CSJ

August 18, 1936 – January 30, 2023

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Helen Vincent Ryan, CSJ, who passed away on January 30, 2023, at Mercy South Hospital in St. Louis. She was 86 years of age.

Sister Helen, baptized Margaret Mary, was born on August 18, 1936, in St. Louis to parents Vincent Dennis and Helen Maxine (Roehrig) Ryan. She was received into the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet on March 19, 1958. She earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary school English from Fontbonne College in St. Louis in 1962, and master’s degrees from St. Louis University in secondary school English (1969) and in secondary education administration (1976). She was also certified to teach religious studies after attending Paul VI Institute.

Sister Helen served in education for nearly 50 years. She began teaching elementary education at St. Luke the Evangelist Grade School in St. Louis (1960-62) and St. Francis de Sales Grade School in Denver, Colorado (1962-63).

From 1963 to 2009, she served in secondary education in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. She taught at Valle High School in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri (1963-66) and St. Anthony High School in St. Louis (1966-75). She served as assistant principal at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florissant, Missouri (1975-83) and as assistant/associate principal at John F. Kennedy High School in Manchester, Missouri (1983-95). For the next 14 years, Sister Helen taught religious studies at Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis.

Sister Helen retired in 2009 and was a part-time volunteer at St. Joseph’s Academy in the Advancement Department. She has also taught PSR. She enjoyed reading and following St. Joseph’s Academy and Chaminade athletics.

In 2019, she resided at Nazareth Living Center where she carried out her ministry of prayer and presence.

The Funeral Mass for Sister Helen will be held on February 7 at 10 a.m. at Nazareth Living Center, 2 Nazareth Lane, St. Louis, MO 63129. She will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery. The Mass will be available to view via livestream.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Louis Province, 6400 Minnesota Ave., St. Louis, MO 63111-2899 or donate online.