Aston, PA—Sister Helen Regina Vanick, OSF, 91, died in Assisi House on May 26. She had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 71 years. Sister Helen Regina (Ruth Patricia Vanick) was born in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a member of St. Anthony Parish. Prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1935, she worked as a stenographer at Montgomery Ward Co. Sister Helen Regina professed her first vows in 1938. She earned a B.S. in English from Mt. St. Mary University in Emmitsburg and a Masters in Education from Loyola College in Baltimore. She ministered in elementary education, both as teacher and principal, and in local house ministry in several of the convents where she lived.

Sister Helen Regina began her years in ministry in the Archdiocese of Washington, DC, where she taught at Our Lady of Lourdes School, Bethesda, for 11 years (1941-1952).

Sister Helen Regina ministered for 30 years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore for 30 years. She worked at St. Paul School (1938-1941), St. Elizabeth School (1980-1981), and Charles A.Hall Cluster School ((1982-1986). She was principal of SS. Philip and James School (1967-1973) and both taught and served as principal of St. Katharine School (1952-1967). She also served as a cook at St. Anthony Convent (1981-1982).

Sister Helen Regina ministered for 20 years in the Diocese of Wilmington. She was principal of St. Thomas School (1973-1979) and taught at Corpus Christi School (1979-1980). She served in local house ministry at St. Ann Convent (1986-1995), St. Peter Convent (1995-1998), and Our Lady of Fatima Convent (1998-1999), both in New Castle.

In 1999 Sister Helen Regina moved to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia where, until her death, she served in prayer ministry, first at Queen of Peace Convent and then at Assisi House, both in Aston.

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Monday, June 1. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 9:30 A.M followed by viewing. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 A.M. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Aston. Sister Helen Regina is survived by her sister Audrey DiBagio, nieces, a nephew and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Francis Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.