Sister Mary Damian

Sister Mary Damian                ND 4110                    PDF Download

Helen Mary MENG

Immaculate Conception Province, USA

Date and Place of Birth:              May 8, 1928                 Genoa, Ohio
Date and Place of Profession:    August 16, 1949           Toledo, Ohio
Date and Place of Death:            December 21, 2021     Sylvania, Ohio
Date and Place of Funeral:         January 4, 2022          Whitehouse, Ohio

We will be led to the fullness of joy when we shall see God face to face.
– Constitutions, Article 52

Born to Louis and Caroline (Heinsohn) Meng in Genoa, Ohio, and baptized Helen Mary, she was the oldest of three children. After attending Clay-Genoa elementary school and Notre Dame Academy, she entered the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1946 and received the name Sister Mary Damian, an appropriate name of the saint she imitated through her care of the sick.

During the early years of ministry, Sister was a teacher and principal at Catholic schools in the Diocese of Toledo. She enjoyed teaching the students in Grades 1 and 2 preparing them for their First Communion.

In 1970 Sister became a Licensed Practical Nurse ministering in the SND Health Care Center in Toledo for 22 years. During these years she lovingly assisted many sisters in their final days and walked with sisters recovering from major health situations.

After retiring from the health care ministry in 1991, Sister moved to St. Jude parish in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she volunteered in the school and parish for 24 years. One of her daily duties was sacristan of the Church, which she loved because this service brought her closer to the Blessed Sacrament to which she had a great devotion. Other times you found her helping in the school as office assistant, nurse, teacher aide and religion teacher.

Sister Mary Damian exemplified God’s involvement in humanity through her own joy and service. Sister loved life and people, ever generous, loyal, and jovial. Her exhilarating laugh made everyone laugh with her. Her hobbies included needlepoint quilts for babies, bedspreads, making cloth dolls, and baking delicious cookies and pies. Sister Mary Damian was a delightful, generous, prayerful person with a heart of gold, a wonderful community member and fun to live with.

In the waning days of Advent, Christ came to shine upon Sister Mary Damian with the dawn of a new and eternal day. Sister, age 93, died unexpectedly on December 21, 2021, at Rosary Care Center in Sylvania, Ohio, in her 73rd year of religious profession.

Now may Sister Mary Damian experience the heavenly realm of eternity being embraced in the arms of her Beloved God. May she rest there in peace forever.