Sister Andrew Hellmann, 1932-2013
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Born July 24, 1932, Covington, KYEntered St. Walburg Monastery, September 8, 1950 Received habit, July 2, 1951 First Profession, August 23, 1952 Died January 24, 2013 |
Sister Andrew Hellmann, OSB was born to Norbert G. and Marian (Jugas) Hellmann in Covington, KY on July 24, 1932 and given the name Mary Joyce at her baptism. Joyce was third of eight children, six girls (Judy is deceased) and two boys. A 1950 graduate of Villa Madonna Academy, Joyce entered St. Walburg Monastery that year as a postulant. She became a novice on July 2, 1951, and was named Sr. Andrew. First and perpetual professions followed in 1952 and 1955, and silver, golden and diamond jubilees in 1977, 2002 and 2012.
Sr. Andrew’s great interest and field of service was health care, particularly lab/x-ray. For this she was well trained. Her education includes a BS degree in 1955 from Our Lady of Cincinnati College, a certificate in pathology from Our Lady of Mercy Hospital that same year, and a Masters in Hospital Administration from St. Louis University in 1965. In 1989 she earned a BS in Allied Health at Eastern Kentucky University which prepared her for the field of cytotechnology.
From 1955 to 2005—50 years—Sr. Andrew was engaged in health care, first at Santa Fe Hospital, LaJunta, CO and in Hazard, KY. She served primarily at Estill County/Marcum-Wallace Hospital as administrator or lab tech with a short interval at St. Luke in Ft. Thomas. After her training in cytotechnology she worked at Pathology & Cytology Labs, Lexington.
While working in or near the Kentucky Appalachian region, Sr. Andrew lived in Irvine, KY where she attended St. Elizabeth Church in Ravenna and volunteered. In her retirement years she continued to support the church flea market with items donated “for the mountains.”
Sr. Andrew’s friend and co-worker Sr. David Ruschmann served with her. In their work of healing they joined MMI (Medical Mission International), an ecumenical group providing medical service in mission trips. Between 1991 and 2001 the group travelled to Ecuador (4x), Mexico, Swaziland, Jamaica and Peru. Picture albums record these trips. Friendships made then are maintained today.
After her return to St. Walburg Monastery in 2005, Sr. Andrew served as transportation director. A gentle woman, prayerful and generous, she died peacefully on January 24, 2013 after a relatively short time. Surviving are her mother, Marian, a resident of Madonna Manor; her sisters Joan Goessling, Jeanne Kaiser, Mary Ann Wainscott, Kate Redden; her brothers Don and Dave, nieces and nephews and her Benedictine community.
Vigil service was held Sunday, January 27 at 7:00 pm, the Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, January 28 at 5:20 pm.