Sister Helen Doychak, O.P.

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Sister Helen Doychak, O.P., a member of the Dominican Sisters of Hope who served as a district superintendent in the archdiocese’s Department of Education for eight years, died June 5 at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. She was 88.

Sister Helen was district superintendent for Rockland, Orange and Sullivan counties, 2000-2008. She was principal of St. Augustine School, New City, 1989-2000, and taught at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, Manhattan, 1987-1989 and 1975-1984, and Our Lady of Victory School, Mount Vernon, 1950-1955.

Sister Helen also served in New Jersey and Connecticut. She was the recipient of a National Science Foundation Grant, 1970-1971, and was named the Biology Teacher of the Year by the Theobald Smith Society, 1966.

Born in Clifton, N.J., she entered the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh in 1948 and professed final vows in 1953. The Dominican Sisters of Newburgh were one of three congregations that merged to form the Dominican Sisters of Hope in 1995.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, and master’s degrees in biology, chemistry and physics, all from Villanova University, Villanova, Pa. She received a professional diploma in administration and supervision from Fordham University.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated June 13 in the Dominican Center at Mount St. Mary College, Newburgh. Burial was in the Dominican Sisters’ Cemetery, Newburgh.

Sister Helen Doychak, O.P.