Memorials › Sr Mary Helen Roessler

Sr Mary Helen Roessler

2 Feb 1891 – 11 Aug 1982

Birth	2 Feb 1891
Death	11 Aug 1982
Cemetery	Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery Houston , Harris County , Texas , USA
Added by	Rozz on 06 Aug 2013
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/115019588

Bio

Sister Mary Helen Roessler, 0.P. died at 5:50 p.m., Aug. 11, 1982 at St. Joseph Hospital here following a long illness. She (Mary) was born Feb. 2, 1891 in Westphalia, ¬Texas, the daughter of the late Martin Roessler and Mary Rabroker Roessler. Sister Helen was preceded in death by her brothers, John, Ben, and Martin, Jr. and a sister, Helen Kinyon. She is survived by four sisters: Sister Rosalie and Sister Rosalia, both of Houston; Mrs. Clara Jansing and Miss Emma Roessler and one brother, Michael Roessler; all of Westphalia. She was a religious for 72 years; 58 of which she spent giving to the young through the medium of education. Her longest tenure was at St. Anthony School in Beaumont where she taught for 22 years. She also taught at Galveston during three different tenures; at Brenham and Burlington, six years each; and in San Bernardino, California for 13 years. As principal she always opened the day by ringing a hand bell. Almost anyone who was a student at her school will recall the smiles, grins and laughter with which Sister Helen greeted them and began the day. One Beaumonter recalls how her younger brother, about three or four years of age, would bring lunch to his sisters while they were at school. '"He would always stop by Sister Helen's room (even though neither of his sisters were in her class) and tell her hello. He always called her his girlfriend and she always introduced him as her boyfriend," Edna Marie Jones remembered. "She was a dear, dear, sweet lady," Ms. Jones continued. "Her impact on children was unique. She always called Beaumont her first love." From a farming family, Sister Helen always loved to be close to the earth and spent many hours in the flower garden at her various stations. "She loved growing things. She always had a flower garden so she could have fresh flowers," Ms. Jones said. Her greatest wish, according to a spokeswoman for the religious community, was to see the community's centennial celebration. The Mass opening the year-long celebration was observed August 8. Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on August 13, 1982 at St. Dominic Villa in Houston. Concelebrants were her cousins, Msgr. George Rabroker of Anahuac, and Msgr. Edward Rabroker of Waco. Arrangements were under direction of Earthman Funeral Home of Houston. A rosary was recited Thursday afternoon at St. Dominic Chapel. Vespers were held Thursday evening at the Sacred Heart Motherhouse Chapel in Houston. Pallbearers were Sister Helen's nephews. Honorary pallbearers were her former students who are Dominican sisters: Sisters Denise, Emily, Marie, Raphael and Frances Bordages, Sister Fidelis Enderle, Sister Maximus Castle, Sister Germaine Trahan, Sister Mary Joseph Roach, and Sister Opal Fruge.

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