Sr. Helene Cote

Sister Helene Cote, p.m. of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, died at age 77 at Community Hospice House in Merrimack, New Hampshire, on August 13, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in Woonsocket, RI, on October 9, 1947, the first of four children of the late Robert and Therese (Gregoire) Cote. She professed her vows as a Sister of the Presentation of Mary in Hudson, New Hampshire, on August 15, 1968.

Sr. Helene earned her Bachelor of Arts in General Education and spent the first 18 years of her religious life in education as a teacher in various Catholic schools in New Hampshire. She then obtained a Master’s Degree in theology and completed additional courses in Spiritual Direction. Afterward, she began serving as a spiritual director and staff member leading retreats at retreat centers in Maine and New Hampshire. For twelve years, she was Chairperson of the Corporation of Rivier University in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Over the years, Sister Helene also served her religious community in various leadership roles such as local superior, General and Provincial Councilor. In 2012, she was named Provincial Superior for the United States Province of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, a position she held for 12 years.

She was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Therese (Gregoire) Cote. She is survived by her sisters, Pauline Ryan, Rita Ryan, Vivian Aubin and her husband, Michael. She was a beloved aunt and is survived by Jennifer Ryan, Christopher Ryan and his wife, Rebecca, and Aaron Aubin. She was an adored great-aunt of Mackenzie and Kaileigh Ryan.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Church, 216 East Dunstable Road, Nashua, NH 03062, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. A live stream of the funeral will be available on their website, Immaculate Conception Parish - Nashua, NH – iccnashuanh.org. The wake and burial are both private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Presentation of Mary, Attn: Retirement Fund, 495 Mammoth Road, Manchester, NH 03104.