In Loving Memory...

Sister Helen Marie, CSC
(Helen Rose Auth)
Birth: July 20, 1920
Profession: February 2, 1941
Death: September 27, 2005

She was like a jewel. There was a steady beauty about the way she lived her life. It shone on those around her, and occasionally those more distant or less directly connected caught the unmistakable spark of it. But she was never flashy. She knew who she was and who she was not, and though her influence moved far beyond her person, she never stopped to pose or to acknowledge the tributes.

Helen Rose Auth was born in Washington, D.C., July 20, 1920. Her parents were Carl B. and Helen M. Auth – her mother’s maiden name does not appear in the records. She had five brothers, one of whom survives.  She attended Holy Name School and Saint Cecilia’s Academy, both in the District of Columbia. She entered Holy Cross at the age of 18, and her baptismal name of Helen was combined with Marie for a religious name. She got a two-year try-out as an elementary teacher, after which it was decided she had better be a nurse. Indeed, she turned into one of the Great Nurses of Holy Cross history. Apparently the superiors simply expected this of her, for, if the records are correct, she was sent to get a postgraduate nursing degree from Yale University before she did any actual nursing.

She spent the next 37 years, from 1942 to 1979, in hospital administration and supervision, crisscrossing the country from Columbus to Silver Spring to Fresno and back. By 1979 she was in need of some time out, and she was given work in volunteer services and public relations. This led to work with Catholic Relief Services in Thailand for several months. After some ensuing rest, she resumed nursing services at Saint Angela Hall in Kensington, this time giving her attention to her own sisters. She came to Saint Mary’s in July 2001.

Her strength was already failing when she arrived, but she added her presence to everything she could, and everything in which she participated was better for it.

She was taken to the hospital Sunday night, and being informed of the quick certainty of death, chose to meet the Great Angel here rather than at the hospital. She sat up in bed and looked all of us coolly in the eye during the rite of the Final Sacraments. She submitted to being embraced by each of us as we left the room.

She was like a jewel, but her memory will not burn with a “hard, gem-like flame” among us, nor will she flit among us like a firefly on a summer night. Her memory will be more like the sanctuary light, reminding us, and leading us, and cheering us.

Written by Sister M. Georgia, CSC

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Cross Ministry With the Poor Fund, Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556.