Aston, PA — Sister Helen Aloyse Reagan, OSF, died in Assisi House on July 28. She was eighty-nine years of age and had been a professed member of the Sistersof St. Francis of Philadelphia for seventy years. Sister Helen Aloyse (Mary Elizabeth Reagan) was born in Philadelphia, where she was a member of St. Elizabeth Parish. Prior to her entrance into the congregation in 1934, she had attended Hallahan High School; she completed her high school education after her entrance into the congregation. Her niece, Sister Jean Margaret McDevitt, is also a member of the congregation. Sister Helen Aloyse earned a B.S. in Education from Villanova University and ministered primarily in elementary education, both as teacher and principal. She also took care of orphaned children and served as administrator of a retirement residence for the Sisters of St. Francis. Her leisure activities included needlework, reading, and puzzles.
Sister Helen Aloyse ministered for sixty-six years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Thirty-four of those years were spent at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School in Morton (1938-1944, 1950-1956 [Principal], 1972-1982, 1993-2005). She also ministered at St. Ludwig School (1944-1949), St. Elizabeth School (1949-1950, 1956-1957). All Saints School (1957-1963 [Principal], 1982-1985), and Nativity School in Media (1985-1993). From 1963-1969 she served as administrator of St. Mary Convent in Bryn Mawr. She moved to Assisi House in Aston in 2005 where she served in prayer ministry until her death.
Sister Helen Aloyse also ministered in the Diocese of Allentown. She served at St. Francis Home in Orwigsburg from 1936-1938 and returned there as administrator from 1969-1972.
All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Thursday, August 2. 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 Aloyse is survived by her sister, Helen Carr of Rydal, Pennsylvania; nieces and nephews; and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.
