Sister Helen Marie Scully, MM

Born: December 7, 1901
Entered: October 15, 1928
Died: December 23, 1976

On Wednesday, December 29, 1976 we celebrated the Mass of the Resurrection for Sister Helen Marie Scully at St. Ann’s Church in Kaneohe, Hawaii,  Sister died as peacefully as she had lived after a brief stay at Castle Memorial Hospital.

After 45 years in the Hawaiian Islands, Sister had many dear friends. The licensed practical nurse who prayed with her in the last moments, was a girl from Maui, the mortician remembered Sister as his Third Grade teacher. Friends, co-workers, and Sisters who had known and lived with Sister Helen Marie, have all commented on her kindness. She had a genuine concern for the convenience and comfort of others and passed lightly over her own illness and pain. We could readily recall how generously Sister had used her creative talents for the recent Bazaar for our Nursing Facility and had stayed, without a break, during the sales time.

Teaching assignments for Sister extended from Maui and Waikiki in the early 1930’s to Punahou and Kalihi from 1935 to 1948; then to Waialua for 18 years, followed by a return to Maui in 1966 until her final assignment to Kaneohe in 1971, In this past year, Sister assisted with office work in the school and extended herself in many gracious ways to the total parish effort,

Born Helen Agnes Scully on December 7, 1901 in New York City, Helen lived there and worked as a secretary before entering Maryknoll in 1928, After her first profession in 1931 she came to Hawaii. She made her final vows on January 6, 1934. Over the years Sister’s devotion to St. Dominic was very apparent, and the rosary was her constant companion. The Office and Mass of the Resurrection, celebrated by Bishop John Scanlan and con-celebrated by eleven priests, were a joyful expression of our ALOHA as she joined our Maryknollers in heaven, Sister is buried at Diamond Head Cemetery, Honolulu.