It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of Sister Helen Aboud, CND at the An Cala Palliative Care Unit of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, on Monday, May 16, 2022 after a brief illness.
Sister Helen was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, on March 25, 1930, the daughter of the late Moses and Mary (MacDonald) Aboud.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Charlie, Joseph, Michael and Allan and by her sisters, Josephine Sarah, Annie , Marina and Josephine Elizabeth. Surviving are her two sisters, Theresa McKay (Dick), Grande Prairie, Alberta and Rosemary Wheatley (Philip), Halifax. Also surviving are her many nieces and nephews whom she cherished and who loved her dearly.
Helen grew up in the North End of Sydney and was a student of Holy Angels Convent. She entered the Congregation of Notre Dame in 1949 and made religious profession in 1951. She graduated from St. FX University and Cornell University where she obtained her Doctorate in Science.
Sister Helen began her teaching career in New Victoria, then taught Home Economics at Mount St. Bernard, Antigonish and was a Professor of Human Nutrition at St. Francis Xavier University. Sister Helen completed her formal service to education in 1989, as Chair of the Home Economics Department of St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish. She subsequently fulfilled leadership roles in the Congregation of Notre Dame on the Province Level in Pictou and on the Local Level in Sydney, NS. She also did voluntary work at the CND Health Care Centre and was later Coordinator of the Shalom Centre for Women in Addiction, Sydney Mines.
Upon moving to Parkland Cape Breton, in 2011, Sister Helen continued a ministry of service, presence and friendship among the sisters, staff and residents of Parkland Cape Breton, all of whom cherished and highly respected her. Sister Helen will be remembered as a woman of great wisdom whose love for her family, Community, colleagues and friends was the hallmark of this life well lived and completed on May 16, 2022.
We, her companions and her family wish to express our gratitude to Doctor Paul Murphy for his years of care for Sister Helen, as well as, the staff of An Cala, and the nurses and doctors who cared for her during her short illness at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital.
Visitation will take place on Monday, May 23, 2022 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at T.W. Curry Parkview Chapel, Sydney. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Tuesday, May 24th, 2022 at Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish, with Fr. Bill Burke officiating. The service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery.
To leave memories & condolences or to view livestream please visit www.twcurry.com
