Sr. Helen Margaret Haigh, Csjp Obituary (1931 - 2024)

Sister Helen M. Haigh (Sister M. Leo) passed away peacefully in the evening of January 7, 2024, at St. Mary-on-the-Lake in Bellevue, Washington. What a remarkable coincidence that Helen, long time archivist for the Western Region, passed away on the first day of the 140th year of the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Peace. Helen was born January 27, 1931 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. One of sixteen children in the Leo and Ethel Haigh family, she first met the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace as a young girl in Seattle. In July 1948, Helen entered the novitiate in Bellingham, Washington. Helen earned a BA in Education from Seattle University and a Master's degree from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York. During this time, she read the autobiography of Dorothy Day who became one of Helen's heroes. As a Sister of St. Joseph of Peace, Helen was first assigned in 1950 to teach at Holy Family School, in Fernie, British Columbia. Helen also taught and was principal in Port Angeles, Bellingham, Seattle, Longview, Kirkland, Wenatchee, and California. In 1968, she was appointed to the CSJP Formation Team as novice director until 1973.She spent the second half of her religious life in community ministry at St. Mary-on-the-Lake, where she served as administrator and later as archivist and librarian. Helen was an avid reader and lover of history, two passions that she brought to life through this ministry. Helen was always eager to share the title of the latest book she had read along with a thoughtful review. As she reflected on her 70th Jubilee: "It's amazing that I've been a sister for so many years. I met our sisters when I was in the second grade at St. Therese School, and they were really good teachers. That's what inspired me to join our community." She also expressed her love for the Congregation saying, "I am grateful for the many wonderful Sisters I have known in these years and for our Sisters in Leadership who have continually urged us to be open to the Spirit." Many of the members of Helen's large immediate family are gone now including her sister, and CSJP Associate, Tess Haigh. Tess and Helen worked together as volunteers for many years at the Jubilee Women's Center beginning in 1983 when it first opened. Helen was to have celebrated her 75th Jubilee this year. All the CSJP community is very grateful to Helen's steadfast love and generous heart throughout her life with us. Vigil Service will be on Sunday January 14, 2024, at 4:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial is Monday, January 15, 2024, at 11:00 AM. Both services are at St. Mary-on-the-Lake, Bellevue, WA. Burial will be at 2:00 PM. at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery, Shoreline, WA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace Retirement Fund, PO Box 248, Bellevue, WA 98009.