Sr. Helen McAllister, OP, formerly known as Sister Denis Margaret, died on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian. She was 83 years of age and in the 64th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.
Sister Helen was born in Evergreen Park, Illinois, to Thomas and Margaret (Pashke) McAllister. She graduated from Aquinas Dominican High School in Chicago, Illinois; received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian; and earned a Master of Arts degree in History from University of Detroit (Detroit Mercy) in Detroit, Michigan.
Sister Helen spent over 42 years ministering in education in Royal Oak, Dearborn, Belding, and Brighton, Michigan, and Westchester, River Grove, Blue Island, and Burbank, Illinois. This includes nine years as principal and teacher at St. Patrick School in Brighton, four years as campus minister for Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Westchester, and 11 years as a secondary teacher at Queen of Peace School in Burbank. She also served two years as administrator for the Dominican Learning Center and four years as promotion and development director for Weber Center, both institutions of the Congregation. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2016.
Sister Helen was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Dennis. She is survived by three sisters: Judy Gardiner (Thomas) of Clinton Township, Michigan; Rosemary Pritchard of Manhattan and Susan Stachler (Joseph) of Palos Park, both in Illinois; other loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Visitation was held on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in the Gathering Space of St. Catherine Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.
Sister ministered in Michigan over 23 years:
- St. Mary, Royal Oak (1958-62): Elementary Teacher
- St. Alphonsus, Dearborn (1962-65): Elementary Teacher
- St. Joseph, Belding (1965-69): Elementary Teacher
- St. Patrick, Brighton (1969-78): Elementary Teacher/Principal
- Dominican Learning Center, Adrian (1979-81): Administrator
- Weber Center, Adrian (1981-85): Director of Promotion and Development
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
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