Mary Therese Helfrich

Mary Therese Helfrich (Welch) born April 11,1931 entered into eternal rest April 2,2024. She was the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Willis O. Welch from Long Island, New York. ”Terry” lived her life with God, and the Catholic Faith as the center of everything in her life.  Her journey of faith took her from a novice as an Ursuline nun, to a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  She is now reunited with Bernie, her husband of 49 years. Together they adopted 5 children and raised them in a loving home filled with laughter, strength, joy, and of most importance, spirituality. She catered to the growth of children her whole life. After completing her graduate and undergraduate degrees in education, she was a beloved kindergarten and 1st grade teacher in the Trumbull public schools and then at St. Catherine of Siena School for over 25 years; she was a founder and director of the Apple Tree Nursery School in Trumbull for decades,and she also shared her faith with many children as a religious education teacher. 

Terry leaves behind her 5 children, her three sons,  Daniel (and his partner Marian), Matthew, and Patrick (and his fiance Sandra) Helfrich; and two daughters Kate Clyons (and her husband Tom), Mary Anne Moriarty (and her husband John).  She was a living mentor to her 10 grandchildren and their families including Sara Napolitano (Helfrich), Stephanie Ardino (Helfrich), Danny Helfrich Jr., Carolyn Hashemi (Clyons), Libby and Brendan Clyons, Jack and Erin Moriarty, and Brian and Christopher Helfrich. She also leaves behind 4 beautiful great-grandchildren (Emmy, Vienna, Gabriel, and Dylan) and many nieces and nephews.

Her example of love will shine on through all those who knew her.  Her funeral services will be held on Friday, at 11:00 a.m.  April 5, 2024, directly at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 190 Shelton Rd. Trumbull. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Friends may greet the family on Thursday from 3-7 p.m. at Cyril F. Mullins Funeral Home, 399 White Plains Rd. Trumbull. To leave an online condolence please visit www.mullinsfh.com

To further support her mission in supporting Catholic Education, in lieu of flowers, The family would be honored to have donations made in her name to St. Catherine of Siena School (190 Shelton Road, Trumbull, CT, 06611,) (203)375-1947.

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