SISTER HELEN ELIZABETH McELWAIN, SC, age 92, died at Caritas Christi, the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Greensburg, on August 21, 2016. A Pittsburgh native, Sister Helen Elizabeth entered the congregation of the Sisters of Charity on September 8, 1941, from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. Preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Elizabeth (McCaffrey) McElwain, two sisters, Mrs. Mary (William) McDonald and Mrs. Agnes (Walter) Janczak, a brother, J.J. McElwain, MD, and a maternal cousin, Sister Mary Cletus Murphy, SC, she is survived by nieces and nephews. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology and French from Seton Hill University and a master’s degree in sociology from the Catholic University of America. Sister Helen Elizabeth taught students at elementary schools in Pittsburgh and Altoona. From 1951 until 1962, she served as assistant dean of students and taught sociology at Seton Hill University. She also taught sociology there in summer sessions from 1951-1968. From 1962 until 1969, she taught French and was the guidance counselor at Sacred Heart High School and at Elizabeth Seton High School. She also taught at Bishop Boyle and Holy Innocents High Schools and at Greensburg Central Catholic High School. From 1979 until 1989, Sister Helen Elizabeth served on the staff at Saint Joseph House of Hospitality. She also ministered at the Ursuline Center and at Saint Kieran Parish in Lawrenceville. From 1990 until 2000 she served as manager of housing at Etna Commons. She then volunteered at St. Columbkille Parish. On January 3, 1999, Sister Helen Elizabeth received the Pittsburgh Diocese’s Manifesting the Kingdom award for “her exceptional service to the people of God uniquely reflected in her life and ministry.” When asked to reflect on her life as a Sister of Charity, she commented, “Only goodness and kindness have followed me all the days of my life.”
