Sr. Helen Francis Coakley, OP

Sr. Helen Francis Coakley, OP, a Sister of Saint Dominic for 77 years, entered into eternal life peacefully on October 13, 2023 at the age of 95 at Saint Catherine of Siena Healthcare Center in Caldwell, New Jersey.

On Friday, October 20, 2023, a wake and funeral Mass will be held at St. Aloysius Church, 219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ. The wake will be from 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Graveside services will follow the Mass at Gethsemane Cemetery on the Motherhouse grounds. The Mass will be livestreamed.

Sr. Helen Francis was a prayerful and compassionate woman who credited her parents, John and Helen Coakley for fostering her deep and abiding faith. Sister Helen entered the Sisters of Saint Dominic on August 30, 1946; received the habit on May 11, 1947; made first profession on May 3, 1948; and final profession on May 3, 1954.

Affectionately known to many as Sister Helen, she committed herself to the field of education serving as a teacher, administrator and librarian. Her dedication was not limited to imparting academic knowledge alone; she was instrumental in shaping young minds, guiding them towards a path of righteousness and integrity. Sister Helen Francis earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies from Caldwell College (Caldwell University), and served as a teacher in St. Joseph, Union City; Ascension, New Milford; and St. Peter the Apostle, Troy Hills; and as a Principal at St. John the Apostle, Linden. Once Sister received her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Villanova University, she then served as a teacher and librarian at Union Catholic High School, Scotch Plains; Caldwell University, Caldwell; St. Philomena, Livingston; Lacordaire Academy, Upper Montclair; Saint Mary High School, Rutherford; and St. Thomas, Bloomfield.

Although retired from active ministry, Sister’s influence continues to live on in the countless lives she touched throughout her career. Sister Helen dedicated her life to the service of others embodying the words of Mother Teresa who once said, "Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” As we mourn her loss we celebrate a life lived in service to others, a life that embodied the principle of doing "small things with great love."

Sister Helen Francis was predeceased by her parents, John F. and Helen M. (Feind) Coakley, her sister, Elizabeth Butler and brother-in-law, John Butler.

She is survived by her sister, Sister Christine (Patricia) Coakley, OP; her niece, Patricia (Henry) Kurusz; her nephews, Daniel Butler and John Butler; one grandniece; two grandnephews and her loving Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Sisters of Saint Dominic, One Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 would be appreciated. We encourage those who knew Sr. Helen Francis to share their memories and upload photos to her memorial page at proutfuneralhome.com.

Let us come together to celebrate and remember a remarkable life, keeping her spirit alive in our hearts and minds.