Helen Baily Cochrane

The Rev. Dr. Helen Baily Cochrane, 96, of Bethlehem, passed away peacefully Saturday, November 1, 2025, in Kirkland Village, Bethlehem. She was the wife of the late Norman T. Cochrane, who passed away December 5, 2004. Born September 14, 1929, in Carmichaels, Helen was the daughter of the late Richard L. Baily and Alta Hebel Baily. A devoted servant of faith, Helen dedicated her life to ministry as a clergy member, sharing compassion, wisdom, and spiritual guidance with all those she touched throughout her years of service. She is lovingly survived by her children: Richard N. Cochrane and wife Marie of Clarks Summit; Patricia C. O'Connell of Hellertown; and Jack S. Cochrane II and wife Soonthree of Bethesda, Md. She is also survived by her brother, Charles Baily, Sr. of Washington; six grandchildren, Daniel, Sean Sr., Michael, Ryan, Allison, and Justin; and great-grandchildren, Sean Jr., Michael, Joseph, Nicholas, Jack, and Will. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her brother, Alfred Baily. Helen graduated from Cumberland Township High School, Greene County, in 1946. She attended Penn State University, where she met Norman and graduated in 1950 with a degree in commerce and finance. Commitment to faith and ministry led her to continue her studies at Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. She earned a Master of Divinity degree from Pittsburgh Seminary in 1975, followed by a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1985. Helen's early career was dedicated to raising her family and teaching piano. However, her passion for service and faith led her to volunteer as a Christian educator at churches in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. She was ordained as a Presbyterian minister on her 46th birthday, September 14, 1975, and devoted her ministry to congregations across western and central Pennsylvania. Her first head pastorate was at Rehoboth Presbyterian Church in Belle Vernon. Over the years, she served in both assistant and associate pastor roles, later transitioning to executive roles with the Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Donegal, and Beaver-Butler Presbyteries. Helen took great pride in supporting individual churches, helping them grow and thrive within their communities. She also contributed her time and expertise to the Bethlehem Council of Churches and was deeply involved in the relocation of Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees in the mid-1970s following the Vietnam War. A lifelong lover of the Chautauqua Institution in western New York, Helen vacationed there frequently from childhood until health challenges limited her visits. Her connection to Chautauqua was central to her life, where she enjoyed its fellowship and mix of religious and secular programming. Eventually, she purchased a townhome at Chautauqua, welcoming family and friends to join her in this special place for rest and renewal. In 2012, Helen published her autobiography, A Serendipitous Life, where she relates the many joys, challenges, and fascinating experiences of her inspirational life. Family and friends are invited to a period of visitation at 9 a.m. Saturday, November 22, in First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem followed by the service at 10 a.m. A funeral luncheon will be held following the service. Interment will be at Memorial Gardens at First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem. Arrangements are by the Heintzelman Funeral Home, Inc., Hellertown. To share an expression of sympathy with Helen's family, visit www.heintzelmancares.com In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions, in Helen's name, may be made to the Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua, N.Y.; or to the church.