McDONALD, Helen Cecile - 1939-07-02 -- 2010-11-09. Helen McDonald, my wife and best friend for more than three decades, died peacefully with me at her side on November 9th. She died where she had lived and been so gracefully cared for—in the Christopher Center of Our Lady of Hope. Helen was born in Newfoundland, Canada, in 1939 of Mary and Mike McDonald, parents for whom she was so very grateful, the 7th of 8 children (Joseph, Jack, Betty, Richard, Bill, Neil, and Marie). She graduated from Mt. St. Vincent University in 1954 and joined the community of Presentation Sisters (whose mission is education of poor children). During her career, she earned a Masters in Counseling, a Masters of Divinity, and became a licensed professional counselor (LPC). She was a teacher and a counselor; she worked at the Family Life Bureau in St. John’s NF and at Holy Cross Retreat Centre in Port Burwell, ON. We moved to Richmond VA in 1985. Helen worked for 19 years as counselor at Courtland Elementary School in Spotsylvania and then as a marriage and family counselor for three years in private practice. She retired in June 2007. The disease began to show itself just months later. She was deeply devoted to our many nieces and nephews and to her family and friends. I don’t dare single out any one of you. Each of you knows your special relationship to Helen. I honor and cherish the part you played in our lives and, I trust, will continue to play in mine. There is deep sadness but no regrets. Helen loved God. She took care of the children with whom she worked, made friends, gave back to the community, and traveled. We lived a wonderful life together with affection and tenderness, with humor and purpose. There will be a memorial service here in Richmond in a few weeks. We will celebrate her life and proclaim our faith that she will never be lost from God’s loving memory. In Helen’s honor, be kind and generous to poor, underserved, and disadvantaged children. They belong to all of us. (Henry Simmons).