Aston, PA— Sister Helen Subach, OSF, (formerly Sister John Damian), died in Assisi House on September 20. She was eighty-nine years of age and had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for seventy-one years. Sister Helen (baptized Helen Therese Subach) was born in Ansonia, Connecticut, but later moved to Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, where she was a member of St. George Parish. She entered the congregation in 1933 and professed her first vows in 1936. Her sister, Sister Frances Subach (now deceased) also entered the congregation. Sister Helen earned a B.S. in Education from Villanova University. She ministered in elementary education both as principal and teacher. Her leisure activities included reading and gardening.

Sister Helen ministered for forty-five years in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. She taught at Nativity School, Media (1936-1945); Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Doylestown (1948-1952, 1960-1962); St. Bonaventure School (1953-1955); and St. Benedict School (1955-1958). Twenty-five of her years in the archdiocese were spent at St. Mary’s School in Manayunk (1945-1948, 1976-1998). Sister Helen moved to Assisi House in Aston in 2007 where she served in prayer ministry until herdeath.

Sister Helen ministered in the Diocese of Allentown for seventeen years. She taught at Sacret Heart School (1952-1953) and St. Lawrence School in Catasauqua (1971-1976). From 1958-1960 she taught at St. Joseph School in Easton and returned there as principal from 1968-1971. She also served as Principal at St. Mary School inCatasauqua (1962-1968).

Sister Helen ministered for eight years in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. She lived at St. Joseph Medical Center Convent in Towson where she served in local house ministry (1999-2007).

Additional ministry experiences included serving as a caregiver for a family member in Hartford, Connecticut (1998-1999).

All services will be held in Assisi House, 600 Red Hill Road, on Tuesday, September 25. 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 is survived by two brothers, Joseph Subach of Hobe Sound, Florida, and George Subach of Drums, Pennsylvania; by her sister, Dolores Subach of Tomhicken, Pennsylvania; and by her Franciscan family. Donations in her name can be made to Franciscan Ministries Foundation, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston, PA 19014.