Sr. Helen Paul Podesla, 81, of Mount Vernon passed away on April 20, 2020. She was born on October 25, 1938 in New York, NY to the late Paul and Helen Podesla. Sister Helen Paul entered the Sisters of St. Francis at Hastings on Hudson on Sept. 8, 1960, and made her first profession on July 14, 1963 and final vows on August 15, 1968. Sister earned a B.S. from Mercy College, Dobbs Ferry, a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Administration from Bank Street College of Education in New York City as well as her Nursing Education at St. Mary's Hospital, Orange, NJ and St. Francis Hospital, Poughkeepsie Schools of Nursing. Sister was a staff nurse at St. Agnes White Plains and the Nursing Supervisor of the Children's Unit at the Hospital for many years. When St. Agnes closed she ministered on "DOCS" in Yonkers in various administrative positions.
Sister Helen Paul served on the General Council of the Srs. of St. Francis in Hastings and was on the Shared Futures Task group that formed The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities in 2004. She was for many years financial director for the East Coast Region based in Hastings and then at Wartburg in Mt. Vernon after 2011.
Sister Helen Paul is predeceased by her brother Paul. She is survived by her beloved niece Christine Traetta, her nephew Paul (PJ), sister in law Arlene Podesla, two grandnieces Jillian and Sophia Traetta and her Sisters of St. Francis.
Sister will be cremated, her Burial and Memorial Mass will be held at a future date.
UPDATE - Memorial mass will be held November 19, 2020 at 10:30am at Immaculate Conception Church, Tuckahoe. Burial of cremains to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, Staten Island.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Sisters of St Francis at 960 James St. Syracuse, NY, 13203-2503.
Online condolences can be given at www.westchesterfuneralhome.com.