Obituary of Sr.Helen M. Duncan

DUNCAN-the death of Sister Helen M. Duncan (Sr. Monica Marie) occurred at Ruth Ross Residence on Tuesday, April 12, 2005. Sister was born in Salisbury, N.B., a daughter of the late George and Margaret (Monahan) Duncan. She entered the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception on September 8, 1940. Along with earning her Teacher's Certificate, Sister Helen earned her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from St. Francis Xavier University; her bachelor of Education from the University of New Brunswick; and her Bachelor of Religious Education from Newman College, Edmonton. Sister Duncan taught at St. Patrick's School, Saint John West, St. Gertrude's School, Woodstock, and Holy Rosary School in St. Stephen. Sister did her internship in Dietetics at St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto and served as a Dietician at St. Vincent's Hospital in Vancouver and at St. Joseph's Hospital in Saint John. Sister was missioned to Edmonton in 1965 and taught at various schools. She taught at St. Alphonsus School, St. Joseph's High School, Archbishop O'Leary High School, and St. Cecilia Junior High School. Returning to the Maritimes, Sister served in various ministries in Saint John, Fredericton, and Moncton. Sister Helen was the Food Supervisor of Dietetics at the Moncton Hospital from 1984 to 1989. She returned west in 1989 and served in Pastoral Care. She moved to Riverview in 1998 and provided Pastoral Care within the Palliative Care Unit of the Moncton Hospital. Sister returned to Saint John in 2003 and resided at St. Vincent's Convent until moving to Ruth Ross Residence in 2005. She was pre-deceased by three brothers, George, Donald, and Frank Duncan; and four sisters, Blanche Frenzel, Catherine King, Bernice O'Sullivan, and Edith Herrington. She is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Ethel Roy of Moncton, and Sister Teresa Duncan, S.C.I.C. and Sister Rita Duncan, S.C.I.C., both of Saint John; and several nieces and nephews. Resting at St. Vincent's Convent, 31 Cliff St., with visiting on Wednesday from 7 to 9 and on Thursday from 2 t o4 and 7 to 9. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Vincent's Convent chapel on Friday morning at ten o'clock. Interment will take place in the sisters of Charity Plot in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Evening Prayer Vigil will be held on Thursday evening at seven o'clock.