BRIDAL VEIL, OREGON (07-05-2025) – Sister Helen Jean Brinkman, FSE, a vowed Franciscan religious woman for 77 years, entered eternal life on July 4, 2025 after a brief illness. On the day America celebrates its birth as a nation, and begins a year-long celebration of its 250 years, her death seemed like God’s stamp of approval on this life-long enthusiast of American history.
Sister Helen Jean’s own history began on March 7, 1928 when she, Frances Catherine, and her twin Franklin John were born to parents Alois and Helen Brinkman in Edgar, Wisconsin. The twins would be the second and third of eight children. As a youth, Sister Helen Jean was active in the high school band and glee club, and in the St. John the Baptist parish choir. She continued her love of singing throughout her life, as her low alto voice resonated in parish churches and Community choir. As a young girl, she also enjoyed skating and hiking.
In 1945, Sister Helen Jean entered the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, La Crosse, Wis., professing first vows in 1948 and perpetual vows in 1954. She taught in Wisconsin Catholic elementary schools in La Crosse, Lyndon Station, Menomonie, St. Mary’s Ridge, and was a teacher and principal in Greenwood, Eau Claire and Stratford. In 1964 she was assigned as postulant directress at St. Rose Convent. In 1969 she was appointed superior of the Holy Trinity convent and taught history at Viterbo College until 1974. She was actively involved in the Community’s program of renewal of religious life in the 1960’s and early 70’s and was part of a core group of Sisters who led the founding of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist in 1973.
Sister Helen Jean earned a B.A. in History from Viterbo College (now University) and an M.A. in American History from St. Louis University. She enthusiastically participated in the Community history committee, offering an insightful, historical perspective on discussions. Her playful attitude, witty humor and personal interest in her Sisters is a treasured memory.
As she, with her Community, sought to meet the needs of individuals, she pursued an Masters degree in Counseling at Oregon State University while serving as parish religious coordinator at Star of the Sea Parish in Astoria, Ore. where she founded the Franciscan Counseling Center. In subsequent years, she offered counseling services in Duluth, Minn., Shaw Island, Wash. and Bridal Veil, Ore.
Sister Helen Jean lived vibrantly Franciscan spirituality as expressed in the charism of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. With Sister Catherine Biehl, she mentored lay men and women in the Pacific Northwest in the Franciscan Apprentice program, from initial entrance, to their perpetual commitment, and beyond. This core of Franciscan laity, in relationship with the Sisters, actively lives the mission to “rebuild the Church.”
Sister Helen Jean has lived at the Bridal Veil center since 2004. For years before remote employment became a trend, Sister Helen Jean was a long-distance bookkeeper for the Franciscan Montessori Earth School in Portland, operated by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. She served the Community in numerous ways and especially enjoyed preparing delicious meals for her Sisters. Ever the optimist, Sister Helen Jean lit a light of hope and warmth in the hearts of others. Her unique capacity to be a bridge, a safe and trusted connection for others on their paths toward wholeness and holiness was a key to the enduring relationships she made. She had hoped to live to be 100 years old, but God had other plans for the 97 year old, who was vital to the founding and on-going history-making of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist.
The Franciscan Sisters, Franciscan Brothers, associated lay faithful, her brother Ken Brinkman and sister Carol Due, her nieces and nephews, and many friends mourn her death. Hours of visitation will be held on Thursday, July 24, 4:00-7:00 P.M. at Holman’s Funeral & Cremation Services, 2610 SE Hawthorne Blvd Portland, OR 97214. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 25, 11:00 A.M. at St. Henry Church, 346 NW First St, Gresham 97030 followed by a reception in the church hall. Burial will be in the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist’s cemetery in Bridal Veil.
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