A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Helen Edward Dodd, D.C., was celebrated January 12, 2019, at the Daughters of Charity DePaul House Chapel, Albany, N.Y.; burial followed at St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands, N.Y. Sister Helen Edward died January 8, 2019, at St. Louise House, Albany. She was 94 years of age and 72 years vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., August 4, 1924, Sister Helen Edward (baptized Helen Elizabeth) was one of four children born to Edward and Helen (Jallon) Dodd. Sister Helen Edward graduated from St. Brendan Diocesan High School, Brooklyn, in 1942. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from St. Joseph’s College, Emmitsburg, in 1946; her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from The Catholic University, Washington, D.C., in 1954; and her Master of Science Degree in Maternal Child Nursing from Boston College, Boston, Mass., in 1959.
Sister Helen Edward entered the Community of the Daughters of Charity in 1946 from Good Shepherd Parish, Brooklyn. Following initial formation, Sister taught at Seton High School, Baltimore, Md., (1947 to 1951). She then served as a Student Nurse at Providence Hospital, Washington, D.C., (1951 to 1953). She served as a Nurse at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Jacksonville, Fla., (1953 to 1956) and as Director of Nursing Services there (1968 to 1970). Sister Helen Edward served as Coordinator of the Catherine Labouré School of Nursing at St. Margaret’s Hospital, Dorchester, Mass., (1956 to 1968); Director of Nursing Services at St. Mary’s Hospital, Rochester, N.Y., (1968); Director of Nursing Services at Elizabeth Seton Hospital, Waterville, Maine, (1970 to 1973); in Nursing Services at St. Margaret’s Hospital, Dorchester, Mass., ( 1973 to 1978); and at St. Mary‘s Hospital, Rochester, (1978 to 1985; while in Rochester, Sister also served as Local Community Superior). Sister ministered as a Chaplain at Carney Hospital, Boston, Mass., (1985 to 1994); and as Chaplain at Good Samaritan Hospital, Pottsville, Penn., (1994 to 1999). Sister Helen Edward also served at St. Joseph Provincial House, Emmitsburg, Md., (1999 to 2000); and at Rosalie Rendu House, Niagara Falls, N.Y., (2000 to 2006). In 2006, Sister joined the Ministry of Prayer at St. Louise House, Albany.
Sister Helen Edward was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, Edward Dodd. She is survived by her sister, Joan Pool (Bill); her sister, Ann Dooling (John); her sister-in-law, Mary Dodd; many nieces; nephews; grandnieces; grandnephews; and her Sister Companions at St. Louise House, Albany.