Posted February 18, 2023 in Obituaries

Educator for Over 61 Years

From 1951 until 2012, hundreds of children passed through the classes of Sister Helen Marie—learning to read, write, and learn “math facts” that would serve them for the rest of their lives.

Sister Helen Marie’s gift for teaching graced the classrooms of 10 different schools in Northeast Ohio.

Sister Helen Marie (Lois Ann Davidson) was born on September 10, 1931, to Archibald and Mae (Ryan) Davidson.  Four sisters and four brothers would follow her as younger siblings.  (Three of them survive her:  Mary Cozens of Sacramento, California; Helen Uzl of Columbus, Ohio; and David Davidson of Okemos, Michigan.  Sister Helen Marie attended St. Philomena and Holy Cross Elementary Schools, and Villa Angela Academy before entering the Ursuline Sisters in 1949, professing her perpetual vows in 1955.  While teaching full time, Sister attended St. John College, earning in Bachelor of Science in Education.  Sister Helen Marie did additional college work at Ursuline College, as well as numerous summer school and Saturday sessions.

Looking at Sister Helen Marie’s academic record easily reveals where her real talent in teaching lay.  Here are examples of extra courses that Sister studied:  Teaching of Reading, Children’s Literature (Primary Grades), Elementary School Reading, Clinical Problems in Reading, Reading in Content Areas, Diagnostic and Corrective Measures in Reading, and Organization and Supervision of Reading Programs.  One can imagine what her former students have achieved in life—all with the start in reading that Sister gave them.

Even when Sister Helen Marie could no longer serve as a full-time classroom instructor, she spent three years tutoring girls and boys at St. Jerome School.  When she eventually needed to retire from a lifetime of teaching, Sister moved to Light of Hearts Villa in Bedford.  There, with her Ursuline Sister friend, Irene Charette, she spent her final years still “teaching” the staff and fellow residents what it means to look back on a life with joy.

Funeral Services for Sister Helen Marie:

Funeral Mass Friday, February 24th, 10:00am

St. Francis of Assisi Church

6850 Mayfield Road, Gates Mills

Livestream at https://stfrancisgm.org/

Memorial donations may be made to the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland:  www.ursulinesisters.org

Arrangements by DeJohn-Flynn-Mylott