Sister Helen Brewer, D.C., a devoted member of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, died Sept. 24, 2026.
For nearly two decades in Austin, Sr. Helen was a catalyst for the growth of healthcare services in Central Texas, serving as both a leader and long-standing chair of the Seton Board. Her ministry stretched across direct patient and associate support, philanthropic community engagement, advocacy and spiritual enrichment.
The history of the Daughters of Charity in Austin began in 1902, when the Sisters established Seton Infirmary. Over the past century, the Sisters expanded far beyond the original 40-bed facility, caring for the Austin community through crises, like the 1918 influenza epidemic, while broadening their ministry into social services, advocacy and education.
Today, that legacy lives on in Ascension Seton, still guided by the Daughters' mission to serve the poor and vulnerable.
Sr. Helen arrived in Austin in 1997, as the federal government initiated the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). She advocated to expand health coverage for vulnerable children and establish clear Medicaid and CHIP eligibility pathways across Texas.
“Sister Helen brought our faith-based Mission to life by keeping the dignity of each individual at the center of her work. She inspired everyone around her to lead with empathy and break down barriers to care. That standard of compassionate care continues to guide our doctors, nurses, and care teams across Ascension Texas today,” said Chad Raith, Chief Mission Integration Officer, Ascension Texas.
In 2019, Sr. Helen provided her oral history to the Sisters of Charity Foundation Digital Archives.
Through her dedication and ministry, she embodied Ascension’s Mission to serve all persons, especially those who are most vulnerable.
