A Mass of Christian Burial for Sister Helen Agnes Davenport, D.C., was celebrated July 31, 2013, at the DePaul Chapel on the Daughters of Charity campus in Albany, N.Y. Burial followed at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands, N.Y.
Sister Helen Agnes died July 28, 2013, at Jan. 17, 2014, at 78 years of age. In December 2012, she celebrated 59 years of vocation as a Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul.
Born in South Boston, Mass., on Sept. 30, 1935, Sister Helen Agnes (baptized Helen Josephine) was the only girl of the four children of Gilbert G. and Agnes Lasik. Her brothers were Tommy, Gilbert and Roger. Sister carried her strong South Boston accent throughout her life. Hearing her say, “Sure” in her special was always a delight.
Sister Helen Agnes joined the Community Dec. 31, 1953. For the first nearly 20 years of her vocation, Sister Helen Agnes cared for and taught children at St. Vincent’s Home in Saginaw, Mich. (1955 to 1961); St. Catherine Laboure in Wheaton, Md. (1961 to 1965); St. Martin’s School in Baltimore, Md. (1965 to 1968); St. John’s School in Albany (June of 1968 to August of 1968); St. Paul’s Elementary School in Portsmouth, Va. (August 1968 to October 1968); and Nazareth Child Care Center in Boston (1968 to 1973).
In 1973, Sister began her ministry in pastoral care and hospital volunteer services. She served at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, N.Y. (1973 to 1987); Carney Hospital in Boston (1987 to 1997); Laboure Center in South Boston (1997 to 1998); and Good Samaritan Residence in Pottsville, Penn. (1998 to 2004). While serving the ill, Sister most cherished her pastoral care visits—especially to those in various stages of cancer. In 2008, due to her failing health, Sister Helen Agnes became a resident at St. Louise House.
Sister Helen Agnes is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Corrine Davenport, of Holbrook, Mass.; her sister-in-law, Helen Davenport, of South Boston.; and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.