On September 24, 2017, Sister Helen Millow, OSBM of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Province, Uniontown, PA, USA was called home to Our Lord in the 78th year of her life, have served 52 years in the monastery.
“God grant her Eternal Memory!”

Having completed her earthly journey and in God’s good time, Sister Helen Millow peacefully went home to the Lord at Mount Macrina Manor on Sunday evening, September 24, 2017. Sister Helen had undergone serious esophageal surgery in May, a surgery which was successful. Other complications, however, intervened to prevent her full recovery. Among them she suffered cardiac arrest, fibrosis of the lungs, and chronic arthritis. Although every effort was made for her return to health, God had other plans for her, and she now enjoys the embrace of the Lord to whom she dedicated 53 years of her life.
The daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Hrinda) Millow, Sister Helen was born in Scranton, PA. She entered the Sisters of St. Basil the Great from St. John the Baptist Church in Scranton, PA on October 1, 1964 and made her Final Profession of Vows on August 6, 1972.
A graduate of Technical High School in Scranton, she was the valedictorian of her class of 400, an achievement that was not widely known beyond her family. She was employed by the Dun and Bradstreet Agency for six years prior to her entrance into religious life.
As a Sister, she earned a B.S. degree in education from Marywood University which benefited her as she began her ministry in religious life, serving as teacher and then also principal in several of the schools staffed by the Sisters throughout the Metropolitan Church of Pittsburgh. From 1980 until 1997, Sister Helen was the monastery coordinator, assistant treasurer and treasurer of our Province of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
From 1997 to 2005 she worked with the staff of the Eparchy of Parma as assistant eparchial finance officer. Upon the completion of this assignment, she returned to the monastery and continued to competently fill the office of Province Treasurer until her illness brought her to a short time of retirement. Her extensive knowledge of finances, insurance and investments was a great asset in her role as capable treasurer both for the community and the Eparchy of Parma.
In his homily, Archbishop William noted that God, in his eternal wisdom, created the cycle of the seasons, and this same cycle can be applied to the life of each person. From the springtime of her early years in community to her final season, Sister Helen faithfully lived out her vows. As she attended to the daily demands of her ministry as treasurer, there was no questioning her capability, her fidelity, and her conscientious stewardship of the community’s finances. She saw this as what God was asking of her. Archbishop concluded his remarks by encouraging all of us to the same fidelity in our own lives.
Sister Helen was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Michael. In addition to her members in community, she is survived by her sisters Mary Ann McLaughlin (+Charles), Anna Mae (Stanley) Lehman, Jean (Kenneth) Morgan, her sister-in-law Bernadette Millow and nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
The Parastas Service was celebrated on Sunday, October 1 by Monastery Chaplain, Rev. Michael Huszti. In attendance was Very Rev. Archpriest John G. Petro. The Funeral Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Monday, October 2 by Archbishop William C. Skurla with Rev. Michael Huszti as concelebrant.
We commend our Sister to your holy prayers and to those of all the Generalate community, and we are deeply grateful for the Divine Liturgy to be offered in the chapel for Sister Helen.
May God grant to his handmaiden, Sister Helen, eternal memory and peaceful repose.

Sincerely in the Lord Jesus,
Sister Ruth Plante, OSBM
Provincial