A funeral Mass was offered Aug. 2 at Assisi House in Aston, Pa., for Sister Helena Joseph Balbach, who had been a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia for 73 years. Sister Helena Joseph, 95, died July 29.
A native of Wilmington, Del., whose siblings included another member of the congregation, Sister Trinita Balbach, her education included a bachelor of sciences degree in education from what is now Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg. Sister Helena Joseph ministered primarily in elementary education both as teacher and principal.
She served for 51 years in her native Wilmington. In the Archdiocese of Baltimore, she taught at St. Elizabeth School, St. Vincent School, Sts. Philip and James School, St. Katharine School – all in Baltimore – and at St Clement Mary Hofbauer School in Rosedale. Sister Helena Joseph also taught in Silver Spring, and in Trenton, N.J.
