Obituary for Sister Helen Zettel
ZETTEL, Sister Helen (formerly S. Claretta) School Sister of Notre Dame
Died at Notre Dame Convent, Waterdown, Ontario on February 5, 2019 at age 97 in her 79th year as a School Sister of Notre Dame.
Predeceased by her parents William and Clara (Martin) Zettel, her brothers, Gerald, Joseph and Rev. Wilbert C.R. and her sister, Louise Fischer. Lovingly remember by the members of her religious congregation, her sister, Noreen Scherrer and relatives.
Upon graduation from Hamilton Teachers’ College, Sister Helen taught in Hamilton at Holy Family and St. Helen Schools, in Kitchener at St. Anne and St. Aloysius Schools, in Welland at St. Kevin School, and in Oakville at St. Mary School, where she was also principal.
In 1961 Sister Helen was one of four Canadian pioneers of the School Sisters of Notre Dame to open the mission in La Paz, Bolivia. For the next six years she was director of St. Andrew School. Sister Helen supported the Bolivians in their struggle to improve their living conditions.
In 1967 Sister Helen moved to Comas, Peru, where she was involved in education programs for women and family catechesis.
On her return to Canada in 1975 she studied at Divine Word Centre in London ON. From 1976 to 1985 Sister Helen lived in Toronto and was actively engaged in ministry to the Hispanic community. She also served as part time staff on Canadian Urban Training Project and was involved in social justice activities. In January 1985 she was called back to Peru to assist in pastoral ministry in Santiago Parish, Lima and in 1990 to work with the seniors in rural communities in Canto Grande, Lima.
In the summer of 1999 Sister Helen returned from South America. In the following years her concern for the Hispanic peoples, locally and abroad, was foremost.
Visitors will be received at Notre Dame Convent on Friday, February 8 from 2:00-4:00pm and 7:00-8:00pm. Prayer service will be held on Friday afternoon at 3:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Notre Dame Convent on Saturday, February 9 at 10:30am. Interment at Notre Dame Convent Cemetery.
Died at Notre Dame Convent, Waterdown, Ontario on February 5, 2019 at age 97 in her 79th year as a School Sister of Notre Dame.
Predeceased by her parents William and Clara (Martin) Zettel, her brothers, Gerald, Joseph and Rev. Wilbert C.R. and her sister, Louise Fischer. Lovingly remember by the members of her religious congregation, her sister, Noreen Scherrer and relatives.
Upon graduation from Hamilton Teachers’ College, Sister Helen taught in Hamilton at Holy Family and St. Helen Schools, in Kitchener at St. Anne and St. Aloysius Schools, in Welland at St. Kevin School, and in Oakville at St. Mary School, where she was also principal.
In 1961 Sister Helen was one of four Canadian pioneers of the School Sisters of Notre Dame to open the mission in La Paz, Bolivia. For the next six years she was director of St. Andrew School. Sister Helen supported the Bolivians in their struggle to improve their living conditions.
In 1967 Sister Helen moved to Comas, Peru, where she was involved in education programs for women and family catechesis.
On her return to Canada in 1975 she studied at Divine Word Centre in London ON. From 1976 to 1985 Sister Helen lived in Toronto and was actively engaged in ministry to the Hispanic community. She also served as part time staff on Canadian Urban Training Project and was involved in social justice activities. In January 1985 she was called back to Peru to assist in pastoral ministry in Santiago Parish, Lima and in 1990 to work with the seniors in rural communities in Canto Grande, Lima.
In the summer of 1999 Sister Helen returned from South America. In the following years her concern for the Hispanic peoples, locally and abroad, was foremost.
Visitors will be received at Notre Dame Convent on Friday, February 8 from 2:00-4:00pm and 7:00-8:00pm. Prayer service will be held on Friday afternoon at 3:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Notre Dame Convent on Saturday, February 9 at 10:30am. Interment at Notre Dame Convent Cemetery.