Helen Marie Bily

Helen Marie (Keller) Bily, 77, homemaker and former nurse, died peacefully on Tuesday, December 2, 2014. She was born on November 12, 1937 in San Antonio to the late Walter and Clara (Priess) Keller and was the fifth of six children. Growing up in San Antonio, she attended St. Leo's Catholic School and Blessed Sacrament Academy before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Incarnate Word College in 1959. In 1958, while dancing on the rooftop of Hermann Sons Hall in downtown San Antonio, Helen met her future husband, Frank T. Bily, whom she married on June 27, 1959. Together, they enjoyed 37 years of wedded love and raised 8 children.

Helen enjoyed baking, reading and spending time outdoors, but said her greatest happiness came from being a wife, mother and grandmother. Family gatherings were always a time of great joy for her. She lived her life with an amazing strength and grace despite the challenges of her health. She was deeply devoted to her family and instilled in them a strong Catholic faith and an unwavering love for God.

Helen is survived by her eight children: Stephen (Diane) Bily of Austin, Anthony (Annette) Bily of Boerne, Loretta (Harry) Dawson of San Antonio, Andrew Bily of Austin, Kathy (Steve) Hodapp of Austin, Maureen (Cline) White of Helotes, Evelyn (Chris) Clauss of San Antonio and Patrick Bily of San Antonio; 23 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild; her siblings: Dorothy Hayden, Walter (Berniece) Keller, Francis (Janyce) Keller and Margaret Velasco; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Points and brother-in-law, Msgr. Lambert Bily. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one brother, Fred Keller, her infant daughter, Jo Ann Mary Bily and her granddaughter, Theresa Clare Hodapp.

The family will receive friends starting at 6:00 PM Monday, December 8, 2014 at PORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH, with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial and Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH, 600 OBLATE DR., with Msgr. Lambert Bily and Rev. John O'Donoghue as celebrants. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Christus Hospice and the Village of Incarnate Word for the compassionate care and support they provided our mother.

Contributions may be made in Helen's memory to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.