Marie Helene Franey
| Mother Marie Helene Franey, S.P. | |
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| Born |
Helena Agnes Franey July 29, 1898 Galesburg, Illinois |
| Died | November 23, 1953 (aged 55) Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana |
| Alma mater | Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Indiana University, Saint Louis University |
| Title | General Superior of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods |
| Predecessor | Mother Mary Bernard Laughlin |
| Successor | Mother Gertrude Clare Owens |
| Parent(s) | Michael D. Franey and Margaret Connerton |
Mother Marie Helene Franey, S.P., (July 29, 1898 – November 23, 1953) was the Superior General of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana from 1948-1953. In 1952, she was appointed by the Sacred Congregation of Religious in Rome to serve on an International Commission of 40 superior generals. She was one of three superior generals from the United States to serve on this Commission.
She was born Helena Agnes Franey on July 29, 1898 in Galesburg, Illinois, to Michael D. and Margaret (Connerton) Franey. Helena was one of six children. Because of Michael's occupation as superintendent of workshops of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, the family moved often. They spent some time in Jackson, Michigan, moved to Columbus, Ohio, and settled for a time in Elkhart, Indiana. She attended Edinboro State Normal School in Edinboro, Pennsylvania before the family sent Helena to attend high school in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.
Both Michael and Margaret had sisters who were Sisters of Providence (Sister Mary Helena Franey and Sister Louis Joseph Connerton), so sending Helena there was a sensible decision. However, it was still a surprise when Helena decided to enter the convent herself. (Later, two of Helena's brothers would enter the priesthood, becoming Father John T. Franey and Monsignor Louis J. Franey.)
Helena entered the congregation on September 24, 1918, professed first vows in 1921 and took final vows in 1926, taking the religious name of Sister Marie Helene. She taught high school from 1920 through 1944 at Marywood Academy in Evanston, Illinois; Providence High School in Chicago; St. Augustine in Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Academy. From 1928-1929, Franey took a break from teaching to study Latin at Indiana University and earn her master's degree. She would later study at the Institute of Canon Law at Saint Louis University in Missouri.
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