Sister M. Stephanie Helfrich

Sister M. Stephanie Helfrich, OSU (Dorothy Frances Helfrich) Sister M. Stephanie Helfrich, 88, died at Otterbein Sunset House on Sunday, April 30, 2023. Sister Stephanie, daughter of the late Stephen and Dorothy (Rowe) Helfrich, entered the Ursuline Convent from St. Agnes Parish, Toledo, Ohio, in August of 1955. She graduated from St. Ursula Academy in 1952 and Mary Manse College in 1963 where she earned a Bachelor's degree. When reflecting in 2022 on her 70 years as an Ursuline Sister, Sister Stephanie said, "I would not give up one day of my life to be any younger because of all the wonderful experiences I've had, through all my different ministries. Each offered great opportunities with God's people." Sister Stephanie taught at St. John the Baptist, Point Place, St. Joseph, Tiffin, and at both Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Rosary Cathedral, Toledo, where she also served as principal. After teaching, Sister Stephanie participated in and was awarded a certificate from the St. Louis University School of Divinity Institute of Religious Formation program. In 1972, Sister Stephanie was elected Councilor on the Ursuline Leadership Team and was later re-elected to the Council for several terms. Sister Stephanie was a member of the Community's Formation Team and saw this ministry as an opportunity to assist those seeking a religious vocation, supporting their discernment by walking the journey with them. At this time she began her long-standing ministry of Spiritual Direction and Retreat work, which gave her the privilege of hearing one's life story using her gift of gentle listening. Over the course of nearly half a century, Sister Stephanie helped countless religious and lay persons deepen their walk with God. Sister Stephanie served as Assistant Vicar and then Vicar for Religious for the Diocese of Toledo for six years. She also worked in the Business Office of the Ursuline Convent as a coordinator for health insurance and until recently, continued giving Spiritual Direction and conducting Retreats on a part-time basis. Sister Stephanie served on the national board of the Religious Formation Conference and on the executive committee of the National Conference of Vicars for Religious. Within the Diocese of Toledo, Sister Stephanie served on the Admissions/Formation (Seminary) Board, the Liturgical Commission and the Women in Church - Priests' Council. Sister Stephanie was preceded in death by her parents and brother James (Sharon) Helfrich. She is survived by her sister-in-law Sharon Helfrich, niece Karen (Grayson) Smith, nephews Stephen Helfrich, James (Dana) Helfrich, Timothy (Deborah, deceased) Helfrich and Jeffery (Cathy) Helfrich, her very close friend Sister Mary Alice Henkel, OSU, as well as her other Sisters and Associates of the Ursuline Community. Visitation will be held on Monday, May 8, 2023, beginning at 9 a.m. at Ursuline Center, 4035 Indian Road, Toledo, Ohio, with a Funeral Mass beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Ursuline Convent, 4045 Indian Road, Toledo, Ohio 43606. Please sign the guest register at CoyleFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are by Coyle Funeral Home.

Tributes

Sister M. Stephanie Helfrich

August 20, 1934 - April 30, 2023