Sister M. Joseph Helen Fullam died in Camilla Hall on Friday, December 20, 2024 in the 67th year of her religious life.
Rosalie Fullam was born on July 17, 1940. Rosalie’s parents Joseph and Helen (Johnson) raised Rosalie, and her sisters Joan and Patricia in St. Anthony Parish in Philadelphia.
Rosalie attended St. Anthony Elementary School (1945-1953) followed by Hallahan Catholic High School (1953-1957). Later, while in Community, Sister earned her degree from Immaculata College.
Rosalie entered the Congregation on February 11, 1958; she received her religious habit and her religious name, Sister M. Joseph Helen, on August 15, 1958, and professed First Vows on August 16, 1960. Shortly after Profession, Sister Joseph Helen began the sacred ministry of teaching the youngest students – first graders.
Sister Joseph Helen expertly served first grade children from the fall of 1960 through the school year ending in 1990. Sister taught first-grade children at St. Gabriel Philadelphia, Incarnation Philadelphia, St. Anastasia Newtown Square, St. Joseph Warrington, Blessed Virgin Mary Darby, St. William Philadelphia, St. Laurence Upper Darby, and St. Matthew Philadelphia.
In the fall of 1990, Sister Joseph turned her teaching attention to Kindergarten children at St. Matthew School, whom she served until the school year ending in 2018. Sister Joseph was a magnificent Primary School teacher. Blessed are the children whom Sister taught!
A second ministry close to the heart of Sister Joseph Helen was serving our Sisters in Camilla Hall, our Convent Home and Healthcare Center. Sister Joseph was assigned to this ministry in August 2018 and served joyfully and faithfully until her recent health decline and death on December 20, 2024.
In addition to her IHM Community, her local Community at Camilla Hall, Sister Joseph Helen is survived by her many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Sister is predeceased by her parents Joseph Fullam and Helen (Johnson) Fullam, her sisters Joan Dunn (Joseph) and Patricia McDermott (John).
Reverend John Burger, SSC, celebrated Sister M. Joseph Helen’s Funeral Mass on Christmas Eve Day, Tuesday, December 24, 2024.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Camilla Hall Nursing Home
IHM Mission Advancement Office
230 IHM Drive
Malvern, PA 19355