Hospital Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis

Sister Helene Schneider

✝ Friday, February 17th 2023

Sister Helene Schneider was not an early morning person, but when Sister Death came to her early in the morning of Friday, February 17, 2023, at 3:55a.m., she was ready and bid farewell to her earthly life in the presence of Sr. Marilyn McCormick.

Sister Helene, the former Wilma Schneider, was born in Belleville, IL, on December 1,1924, the daughter of Otto and Anna Weik Schneider. She entered the Congregation on September 8, 1947, and professed her religious vows on June 13, 1950.

Sister was a 1955 graduate of St. John's Hospital School of Nursing. She received a Beautician Certificate from the Streator School of Beauty Culture and a certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education from St. John's Hospital.

She served in various nursing roles at HSHS hospitals in lllinois and Wisconsin, and Horne Nursing for the Alverna Horne Nursing Center in Chicago, IL. Sister also served as a Pastoral Care Chaplain at HSHS St. Joseph's Hospital, Highland, IL, and at HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, IL.

Sister Helene was a great cook and did it with much joy. Sister Agnes McDougal used to say: "when Sister Helene cooked, we could count on healthy meals!"  lt was very hard for Sister when she moved to Loretto Horne knowing her cooking days were over. Sister Helene was great at baking, as well. When Sister lived in Bellville, she would start baking several kinds of cookies including rum balls, which were her favorite. She began her baking early in December and would gift the cookies to her friends and family to express her gratitude for all small and big favors done for her during the year.

 Sister spent most of her weekends at her sister's house designing and making hand­crafted cards which brought much joy to her family, friends, and Sisters. Sister Helene was very close to her family, especially to her sister Berniece. Now she is with her parents and siblings. Sister had a unique laugh. Sister enjoyed her retired life especially by going to the YMCA for swimming. Sister also had joined a dance group in Belleville.

 ln addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers: Clarence and Leroy Schneider, and her sister Bernice "Bean" Gaskill.

She is survived by several generations of nieces and nephews. We offer Sister Helene's family and friends our sincere condolences and prayerful support of the Christian community.

Visitation will be held at St. Francis Convent from 4:00-7:00 p.m. with a Wake Service at 6:00p.m. on Sunday, February 19, 2023. The Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Jim Thomas from Bellville, IL on Monday, February 20, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Clare of Assisi Adoration Chapel at St. Francis Convent. Burial will be in Crucifixion Hill Cemetery.

May Sister Helene enjoy her full reward from the Lord and intercede for us from Heaven.