Col. (Ret) Helen Maye Sagul's Obituary
Col. (Ret) Helen Maye Sagul was born on August 24, 1922 in Donora, PA, and passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 in Covington, LA. For the past few years, she resided in Covington, LA, and prior to that, Metairie, LA.
Beloved sister of Dr. Edith Sagul of New York, Margaret (Maggie) Wells of Maryland, Lucy Serra of Pennsylvania and Betty Battalora of Covington, LA; and sister-in-law to Dr. George C. Battalora of Covington, LA and Bernadette Sagul of Georgia. She was also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Anna Spisak Sagul; her father, John Sagul; a brother, LTC John Sagul; and two sisters, Mildred O’Lenic and Elsie O’Brien.
She was a member of the First Lutheran Church. After graduation from Donora High School and the Douglas Business School of Charleroi, PA she was employed in the Adjutant Gereral’s Office in Washington, D.C. In 1944 she joined the U.S. Cadet’s Nurse Corps, Completing her diploma in Nursing at St. Margaret Memorial Hospital in Pittsburg, PA. She was a member of the 4010th U.S. Army Hospital in New Orleans, where she served in the Army Reserves. She attended LSU School of Nursing in New Orleans, LA, and practiced as a Professional Registered Nurse for many years at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, Charity Hospital of New Orleans, and the U.S. Army Reserves, where she retired as a Colonel after 30 years of service. She was a American Red Cross Volunteer for 25 years and served during Saints games and Mardi Gras. She was a member of the American Nurses Association, Reserve Officers Association, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States and Civil Defense. She was the first President of the New Orleans Oncology Nurses Association. In 1967, she published “Intractable Pain” in the Journal of the The American College of Surgeons. Numerous honors were bestowed upon her, including, Charter Member of the Great 100 Nurses of New Orleans in 1987, Mayorality Citation of Merit for Outstanding Service Key to the City of New Orleans, for the years of 1972 and 1975. Other honors she received were, Honorary Sheriff Deputy of New Orleans in 1972; Honorary Civil Sheriff in 1972; and Honorary Louisiana State Senator in 1972.
Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend funeral services at James A. Rabe Funeral Home, 701 Thompson Avenue, Donora, PA 15033 on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 11:00 AM, with Rev. Kenneth Schott officiating.
Visitation at the funeral home will begin at 9:00 AM and continue until service time.
Interment with Military Honors will follow services at Monongahela Cemetery, Country Club Road, Monongahela, PA 15063.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to the American Red Cross or the First Lutheran Church, 92 West Walnut Street, Washington, PA 15301.
What’s your fondest memory of (Ret)?
What’s a lesson you learned from (Ret)?
Share a story where (Ret)'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with (Ret) you’ll never forget.
How did (Ret) make you smile?