SINSINAWA — Dominican Sister Helen Spellecy (Justine) died April 20, 2010, at St. Dominic Villa, Sinsinawa. The funeral Mass was held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa April 23, 2010, followed by burial in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Helen made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican March 8, 1933, and her final profession Aug. 5, 1936. She ministered in education as a teacher and administrator for 64 years, during which time she also served as a general councilor for the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation for five years of the six-year term. She ministered for five years as the Mound prioress at the Motherhouse, Sinsinawa. Sister Helen served in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Helen taught at Edgewood Campus School and Edgewood College, Madison, 1958-1961. She served as general councilor for the Sinsinawa Dominican Congregation, 1967-1973, while simultaneously ministering as principal at Blessed Sacrament, Madison, 1968. Sister Helen served as Mound prioress at the Motherhouse, Sinsinawa, 1972-1977.
Sister Helen was born April 14, 1915, in Platte Center, Neb., the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (McManus) Spellecy. Her parents; two sisters, Dorothy Hug and Esther Bourke; and two brothers, John Spellecy and Thomas Spellecy, preceded her in death. She is survived by nieces, nephews, and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared life for 77 years.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or online at www.sinsinawa.org by clicking on “Donate to Us,” then “Honors and Memorials.”
Repeat broadcasts of the wake and funeral for Sister Helen are available online at www.ustream.tv/Sinsinawa