Sister Helen Marie Schumacher, OSF

Sister Helen Marie Schumacher OSF, (formerly Sister M. Aquinas) born in Buffalo, NY September 13, 1931, died on May 5, 2022 at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital, Lewiston, NY.  She was the daughter of the late Gerard and Mary Louise (Seereiter) Schumacher.

Sister Helen Marie entered the Sisters of St. Francis at Stella Niagara, NY on October 4, 1950 and professed vows August 18, 1953.   

Much of her work included teaching and pastoral ministry.  She taught at St. Joachim School (1953-54, 1955-56), St. Ann School (1954-55), and St. Benedict School (1957-58), Buffalo, NY; St. Peter School, Lewiston, NY (1958-61, 1963-64); St. Leo School (1956-57, 1964-68), Pope John XXIII School (1980-81), and St. Catharine School (1986-88), Columbus, OH; St. Paul, Athens, OH (1962-63); St. Mary School, New Monmouth, NJ (1968-77); St. Anthony School, Charleston, WV (1961-62); Francis Center, Niagara Falls, NY (1996-97); and St. Francis International School, Rome, Italy (1981-85). She was also principal at several of these schools.

Sister Helen Marie served as secretary at St. Mary of Sorrows Parish, Buffalo, NY and also for Holy Name Province of the Sisters of St. Francis.  She did pastoralcare at St. Barbara Parish, Chapmanville, WV (1994-96). Sister Helen Marie worked at the Stella Niagara Health Center (1989-93, 1997-2005).

After retiring in 2005, she served as a hospitality minister at the main desk and provided additional assistance at Francis Center, Niagara Falls, NY. She became a permanent resident of the Health Center in January 2017.

Pre-deceased by siblings and spouses: Mary Lou (Alvin) Gerold, Antoinette (John) Herman, Virginia (John) Wendel and Gerard (Mary Ellen) Schumacher. Survived by her sisters: Barbara (Robert) Klocke, Margaret (late J. Terrence) McManus, and brothers: Joseph (Maureen) Schumacher, William (Kathleen) Schumacher, 37 nieces & nephews, 59 great nieces & nephews, 11 great-great nieces & nephews and many cousins as well as her Franciscan Sister.

Wake Monday, May 9 beginning at 7PM with a prayer service at 7:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial in the Sister's Chapel Tuesday, May 10 at 9:30AM.

Attendees must be fully vaccinated!

Memorials to the Sisters of St. Francis, Stella Niagara, NY 14144.

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