Sister John Helen Main, GNSH
Written on: May 15, 2025
Sister John Helen Main, GNSH, 86, died on Sunday, May 11, 2025 in the 69th year of her religious life. Kathryn Anna Main was born June 15, 1938 in Ogdensburg, NY to John J and Helen (Barr) Main. She is predeceased by her parents and brother, Paul J Main. In addition to her religious congregation, she is survived by her twin brother Kermit A. Main and several nieces and nephews.
Sister attended Bishop Conroy School and graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1956, entering the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart that same year. She earned a BA/Edu (1967) from D’Youville College, Buffalo, NY, and received an MS/Elementary Education (1977) from SUNY at Potsdam.
Sister John Helen began her ministry as teacher at St. Norbert in Paoli, PA (1959-60) and then moved to Atlanta, GA where she taught at Immaculate Heart of Mary (1960-62) and Christ the King (1967-71). For the next 45 years, she was missioned in her home state of New York in various educational efforts: Teacher in Potsdam at St. Mary’s (1962-67, 1980-81) and Director of the Potsdam /Akwesasne Talent Search (1989-91), Principal in Eden, Immaculate Conception (1981-83) and Williamsville, Nativity of Mary (1983-85). Her ministry in Ogdensburg scanned several decades: Teacher at Bishop Conroy (1971-74) and Ogdensburg Catholic Central School (1974-80), Instructor at Mater Dei College in Remedial /Developmental Education (1985-88). From 1992-2012 she was a Pre-GED Teacher at the Ogdensburg Correctional Facility. Simultaneously, from 2000 to 2005, she served as Director, Peer Tutor program at Ogdensburg Free Academy. In December 2012, she moved to the Motherhouse in Yardley, PA, then later to a Grey Nun community in the greater Philadelphia area, serving her senior sisters through visits and phone calls until shortly before her death.
Visitation at 9:30 am, sharing of memories at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 24, 2025 in the Redeemer Sisters’ Chapel 521 Moredon Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA. Funeral Mass to follow at 10:30 am. Burial in Resurrection Cemetery, Bensalem, PA. Arrangements by Beck Givnish Funeral Homes.
Reflection on Sister John Helen Main by Barbara Schiavoni
If you would like to make a gift in memory of Sister John Helen, your donation will honor her life of faith, service, and compassion. Your contribution helps support the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart and the legacy of her religious community. Donations in her memory may be mailed to the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, 928 Jaymor Road, Suite C-120, Southampton, PA 18966 or you can donate online. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and remembrance.
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I worked on my MS in international business when sister had a her office there on campus. When even in her modest secular clothes you could tell she was a nun. She had such a delightful personality. She was such an advocate for the returning mid.life students. May her soul get to heaven a half an hour before the devil knows she’s dead.
Dr. Mary J. Christ
Class ‘04
A brand new teacher, I was paired with SJH in 1964 for mentoring. She taught 7th and 8th grades; I had the 6th. She was a natural-born teacher with a keen ability to reach the spirit of young boys. She could deliver discipline while honoring a child’s dignity. [demonstrated again years later at the correctional facility.] Her sense of humor was pervasive and often original. She maintained her own space at times with unexpected and unique retorts.
I believe she developed these qualities early in life, living on a dairy farm. By word and example, John and Helen taught their children to behave well, to work hard, to have fun. They were intelligent, witty, wise, practical and competent. I knew both of them.
SJH became friends with my family too, over the years. When my husband was alive, the two of them teamed up to tease – I stood no chance to outwit them. Her spontaneity was charming. My adult daughters have fond memories of her now.
SJH and I were lifelong friends.
So sorry for your loss . She was a very nice , compassionate person and so is your father Mike . Thoughts & prayers with all of you . Kate Bell
Sr John Helen taught me in the sixth grade. I was the only student that she hadn’t taught before the sixth grade. We became life long friends. After moving back to the Mother house, Sister would come up north to visit and she would invite me to the Sisters camp for dinner. Sr John Helen and Sr Bernadette (Bernie) Marie were both special to me and close to my heart.
May You Rest in Peace.
Our father God, our brother Gods son, Jesus and the entire World of Peace is with you and holding you while you heal. Feel the power of Jesus DNA all around you and feel the power of the entire Worlds DNA all around you. Prayers and healing will be with you not only now but forever. Love and Peace forever.
The way to PEACE is to bless everyone we know with all we hope for them. Seeing their beauty is a gift of our soul. Sharing the beauty is our own inspiration. Receiving the beauty is the gift of Creation. Love to all.
You are surrounded by love and prayers and you and yours are always being touched by Jesus and the Worlds DNA. Remember that Jesus walked the earth and was baptized, therefore every time you feel the air around you. You have his DNA around you also. Every time you drink water or wash up, you have his DNA on you It dose not matter how much or how little it is, it’s always there and so are we THE ENTIRE WORLD