With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Mary Helen Williams Bruce, loving wife of Arthur, sister Catherine and brother, James Williams. Mary Helen was born at The Sisters Hospital in Hot Springs and attended public school in Hot Springs, South Dakota.. During her high school days, she took part time jobs, including kitchen help, waitress and many medial tasks. Realizing that they provided little advancement, she enrolled in Chadron State College in Nebraska and graduated with a BS degree in health education. Having the desire to choose nursing as a life's work, she attended the nurses training courses at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion and graduated with a MS degree in nursing. At this time, she took a position as school nurse in Pine Ridge, South Dakota at the Catholic Mission. The position was later dropped in favor of public education. Wanting to expand her education further, she enrolled at the University of Wy oming in Laramie and received an X-ray technician license. Other jobs she had were staff nurse at Crawford Community Hospital in Nebraska, staff nurse at the National Jewish Hospital in Denver, Colorado, staff nurse at Bennett Clarkson Hospital in Rapid City, South Dakota, staff nurse at Winner General Hospital in Winner, South Dakota and head nurse in the drug and detox ward at the V A Hospital in Hot Springs, South Dakota until retirement.  She then married Arthur George Bruce Jr. of Phoenix, Arizona where they enjoyed dual residency in South Dakota and Arizona. Mary Helen's Catholic faith was especially important in her life. For over 20 years she frequented the Adoration Chapel at Saint Joseph Parish in Phoenix until the chapel and library were destroyed by fire. New construction is under way and a memorial will be established in her name. Her last words to me we "Pray for me". She loved angels in life, and I am sure she is with them now. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Committal services will be held 10:00 a.m.,  Monday, February, 1, 2021, at Evergreen Cemetery in Hot Springs, SD.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Hot Springs, SD.