She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ham, her parents, William and Annie Bourke and her sister Mary Ryan.
She is survived by her nephew, Raymond Ryan, her niece, Geraldine Landers, Grand nieces and nephews, Megan Landers, Aimee Landers, Martin Ryan and Jack Landers and numerous friends in the surrounding areas of Conroe, Willis and The Woodlands.
She graduated from Laurdes Academy in Cleveland, Ohio for high school, Bachelor of Science Degree from St. John College, Ohio and her Masters of Education in Education at Sam Houston State University.
Helen immigrated to the United States at age 16 to enter the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament where she ministered for 27 years in the education of youth and through prayer and the following schools where she taught; Incarnate Word Academy, St. Patrick’s, St. Richard’s, Assumption all of which were schools run by the Incarnate Word Sisters. In Conroe, she serviced as a teacher and principal of Sacred Heart Catholic School. In 1978, she transferred to Conroe Independent School District where she taught 3rd Grade for 12 years before transferring to Willis Independent School District where she completed eight years of her 45 years as a teacher. She loved her students. Her love of children was evident by the return of so many of her former students into her life. She loved them dearly to the end.
A trove of gratitude to F. Joseph for bringing the Sacraments to Helen through the years after Ham’s passing. A special thanks to her caregivers and to Gary and Marixa Chatman, Luciene Hobbs, Gabriel and Donna Gutierrez, Greg and Donna Jolly and Scott and Dana Briers for all their kindness and help.
The visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 8, 9:30AM – 10:30AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will start at 10:30AM. A rosary will be prayed at before Mass. Interment Conroe Memorial Park.
