Margie Elizabeth, one of four children of William Butler and Mary Ellen Livers Pfohl, was born November 4, 1911, in Uniontown, Ky. Her faith journey began with baptism at St. Agnes Church on the very next day for there was some doubt that she would survive. Her mother died of diphtheria when Elizabeth was only 10 weeks old, and the baby went to live with her maternal grandparents. She was much loved and “spoiled” by her aunts and uncles, who had loved their sister, nicknamed “Sister.” The baby became “Sister Babe.”
Elizabeth’s formal education began in September 1918 at Glennonville School, in Glennonville, Mo. She later attended a small one‑room school. The seventh grade was spent at St. Vincent where she boarded. She enrolled at St. Ann School, Morganfield, Ky., for grade eight. Her grandparents sacrificed to send her to MSJ Academy for high school. She was very homesick, but learned to love MSJ, and made up her mind to make it her home. However her grandfather was not well, and she did not want to leave him. He died in July 1931.
On September 7, 1931, Margie Elizabeth along with seven other young ladies entered the MSJ novitiate to begin the three‑year preparation for the life of an Ursuline. On March 19, 1932, Elizabeth was invested in the Ursuline habit and received the name Sister Helen Marie.
Shortly after professing temporary vows in 1934, Sister was assigned grades 1‑4 at Boone’s Mill School, New Haven, Ky., where she remained four years. Other assignments during her 49 years in the classroom were at Howardstown, Lebanon, Loretto, New Haven, Paducah, Hardinsburg, and Maple Mount, Ky.; and Nebraska City, Neb. In 1941‑42, she studied at Our Lady of the Lake College, Texas, earning her BS; afterward her assignments were usually in home economics, high school or college. In the summer months, she earned a M. Ed.
In 1983, MSJ Academy closed, and Sister was assigned as Director of Maintenance at the Motherhouse. She also managed the Jot ‘Em Down Store, and cultivated the rose garden near the cemetery with Sister Joseph Marian’s help. In 1990, Sister retired from an active ministry, but spent her time in prayer, and making articles for the annual picnic. In 1997, Sister Helen Marie moved to the MSJ Infirmary as her mental abilities diminished.
In June 2002, she moved to the new health care facility, Saint Joseph Villa, where she responded to the new stimulation. In August, she showed signs of preparing for her final journey home. This came on Wednesday evening August 21, 2002, when she said “yes” to her creator for the last time. The funeral liturgy was held Saturday morning, August 24th, with Father Greg Trawick as celebrant. Sister Helen Marie is buried in the convent cemetery.