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Born on Nov. 30, 1928, in Baltimore to Joseph A. and Julia Hintenach Scheel, she graduated from Shrine of the Little Flower School in Baltimore in 1942 and the Catholic High School of Baltimore in 1946.
She then worked as a bookkeeper and stenographer at The Boone-Elder Co. in Baltimore for 15 months, prior to entering Maryknoll Sisters at their Valley Park, Mo., novitiate on Oct. 30, 1947.
She called Community of the Most Precious Blood Parish, also in Baltimore, her home parish. Following her entrance to Maryknoll, Sister Helen was given the religious name of Sister M. Paul Gerard.
She made her first profession of vows on May 8, 1950, at Valley Park, Mo., and her final vows at the Maryknoll Sisters Motherhouse (now the Maryknoll Sisters Center) in Maryknoll on May 8, 1953. She completed a bachelor’s degree in education at Maryknoll Teachers College in 1955.
From 1967-73, she served as local superior at Monrovia, Calif., and regional superior of the U.S. Western Region. During this time, from 1971-74, she studied for a master’s degree in adult education at California State University, Los Angeles, and worked as a teacher and coordinator of the adult basic education program for the Monrovia Unified School District.
She is survived by her brother, Nivard Scheel of Elm Grove, Wis. A vespers service will be held for her on Thursday, Jan. 7, at 4:15 p.m. in the Chapel of the Annunciation at the Maryknoll Sisters Center. A memorial Mass will follow on Friday, Jan. 8, at 11 a.m., also at the center.
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