Sister Helen Blendermann passed away at the age of ninety-one on October 25, 2026, at home at Hudson Villa in Englewood Cliffs, surrounded by love from near and far. Let us pause and give thanks for the gift of Helen among us—her generous sharing of her gifts, her love of the community, and her sense of humor. We hold especially in our prayers the community and caregivers at St. Michael Villa and Hudson Villa and all whose lives were touched by Sister Helen.
Sister Helen was born in the Bronx, the first of Herman and Anna Blendermann’s two children. Her younger brother Ed became ill in the fourth grade and died at Holy name Hospital in the arms of Sister Bellarmine. When Sister Helen felt the call to religious life as a high school Junior, she knew she wanted to join “The Sisters at Holy Name Hospital.” She entered the novitiate at St. Michael Villa in 1953.
Her first ministry was education. Sister Helen taught in New Jersey at St. Anne’s in Fairlawn and Our Lady of Peace in Fords before being missioned to California. She taught at St. Genevieve’s High School in Van Nuys, and later became Dean of Studies there. During this time, she also earned a Masters of Arts in Education from Immaculate Heart College.
Sister Helen then moved to Northern California. She earned a Masters of Arts in Theology from the University of San Francisco and worked as Director of Religious Education and later Principal at Mater Dolorosa in South San Francisco.
In 1979 she returned to New Jersey, grateful to be able to be with her parents during their last days. Sister Helen served in various roles in Northern New Jersey, including as Principal (Holy Rosary in Edgewater), Junior High teacher (Our Lady Visitation School in Paramus), and Director of Religious Education (St. Peter’s in River Edge, St. Michael’s in Palisade Park, and St. Mary’s in Closter).
Sister Helen was appointed Treasurer of St. Joseph Province in 1997. This led her to earn her third Masters of Science in Business Administration and Finance from Notre Dame University.
She gave her gifts generously to God’s people and the community. Sister Helen lived her last years in Englewood Cliffs, first at Villa Lourdes and more recently in Hudson Villa. Even as her energy dwindled, she would be sure to offer her wry smile and attentive gaze to brighten the day of sisters and staff.
On the occasion of her sixtieth jubilee, Sister Helen reflected: “My journey has been one of many sorrows. I often say, ‘We live as if we have an endless supply of tomorrows when all we have is this moment.’ So live life, enjoy every moment God gives you.” We give thanks for the many moments of Sister Helen’s life and the contributions she made to our world, church, and community.