Sr. Helen Nilan CJS

1927 - 2022

WEST HARTFORD- Sister Helen Nilan (Sister Mary Thaddeus), a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambéry, West Hartford, CT died April 1, 2022, at Msgr. Bojnowski Manor in New Britain, CT. Born in Brooklyn, NY, on September 30, 1927, to the late James Howard Nilan and Ellen Mary (Gordan) Nilan, Sister Helen entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 8, 1950, and celebrated her Profession of Vows on August 23, 1956. At the time of her death, Sister Helen was 94 years of age and was in her 72nd year of Religious Life. Sister Helen graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Stamford, an all-girls high school opened and administrated in 1922 by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Following her time at the Academy, she went on to graduate from St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing in Waterbury, CT. After joining the community, Sister Helen earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Diocesan Sisters College, West Hartford, CT, and assumed a position St. Joseph Hospital in Stamford, eventually supervising the pediatric department. She was missioned to St. John School in Deep River as an infirmarian, a position she enjoyed as much as her young charges enjoyed the extra attention she provided during illnesses. In 1966, Sister Helen graciously responded to our Congregation's invitation to go on mission to Iceland. For several years, she served as an RN supervisor at St. Joseph Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland, and later, as the Administrator of St. Joseph Hospital, in Hafnarfjord, another one of the Sisters of St. Joseph Danish missions. The Danish Province pioneered work to benefit the sick in Iceland, paying attention to the many military personnel and their families stationed there who frequented the Hospital. While not enamored of the snow and cold, Sister Helen delighted in her time in Iceland, offering healing and her good humor as a soothing balm to patients, staff and families. Sister Helen returned to the United States for a much-needed vacation. However, a severe car accident on a trip from the Provincial House in West Hartford back to St. Joseph Hospital ended her dream to return to her beloved Iceland. For a time, she resumed nursing duties at St. Joseph Hospital before moving to St. Mary Hospital in Waterbury, there becoming an integral person in the Pastoral Care Department. Her caring personality and good cheer offered patients and families a friendly face and listening ear. Not one to forgo a challenge, Sister Helen took up both calligraphy and oil painting as hobbies, producing lovely works of art in both mediums. Walking the long halls in the hospital eventually became difficult. She responded to another invitation to serve as a chauffeur for the Sisters living at the Provincial House in West Hartford. Sister Helen became a volunteer driver, sharing her driving talent for fourteen years. Still not ready to retire, Sister Helen took on the role of reception/ switchboard operator for the Provincial House, a natural ministry she expressed through her voice on the phone and her warm welcome and hospitality as she invited guests through the doors. Always a lover of dogs of all breeds and sizes, Sister Helen expressed special joy when visiting guests to the convent arrived with their furry companions. On her shift, she tucked away a small bag of doggie treats for lucky four-pawed guests. The Sisters always knew when a special guest arrived by her hearty welcome and laugh, and the occasional thank you 'bark' from the guest. As her health declined, she never missed attending activities of interest, and maintained a high level of attention to all community endeavors. Requiring more care after a fall, she moved to Bojnowski Manor with her usual graciousness. The Sisters of St. Joseph wish to thank the staff and administration for their attention and care showered on Sister Helen during these last years. In addition to her Sisters in Community, Sister Helen is survived by a cousin and his wife, Roy and Roe Cummins of Pennsylvania, and dear friends, Patricia Delyonas and family of Norwalk and Jane E. Hall and family of Bethel. She is predeceased by her sister, Mary Nilan. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 health conditions and restrictions for licensed facilities, a graveside service for family, friends, and Sisters will take place Thursday, April 7, at 10:00 a.m. at the Sisters of St. Joseph Cemetery on Ringgold Street in West Hartford. If unvaccinated, please wear a mask. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a memorial donation to the Sisters of St. Joseph, c/o Office of Mission Advancement, 650 Willard Avenue, Newington, CT 06111. Fisette-Batzner Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Avenue, Newington, has care of the arrangements.