Helen McCloskey Carabasi, age 94, died peacefully on April 9, 2017 at an assisted living facility in Haverford, PA.  Mrs. Carabasi grew up in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia and attended the Sacred Heart School.  She received her BA in English from Rosemont College.

In November, 1947, she married the late Ralph A. Carabasi, Jr., M.D.  The couple moved to Frankfurt, Germany where Dr. Carabasi served in the US Army of Occupation's Medical Corps.  After completing his tour of duty, the couple returned to the Philadelphia area, where Dr. Carabasi practiced as a medical  oncologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.  In retirement, the couple spent their winters in Palm Beach, later residing there permanently. In Philadelphia, they were members of the Union League of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Country Club.  In Palm Beach, they were members of The Everglades Club of Palm Beach, The Bath & Tennis Club, and the Beach Club.

In addition to raising seven children, Mrs. Carabasi was involved in many charitable organizations.  She was Chair of the Women's Board at Thomas Jefferson Hospital, Chairwoman of the Academy Ball, and an active member of the Society of the Four Arts in Palm Beach, Fla.  She served as an elected trustee of the Philadelphia Museum of Art from 1982 to 2006, when she was named a Trustee Emerita. She also served on the Museum's European Painting and Sculpture Committee.  In a letter to the Board of Trustees, Museum CEO, Timothy Rub and Museum COO, Gail Harrity stated that  "As a trustee, Helen demonstrated incredible generosity and commitment to this institution for which we continue to be grateful."  Dr. and Mrs. Carabasi also served as Co-Chairs of the Rodin Museum, to which they were particularly devoted.

Mrs. Carabasi's late father, Matthew H. McCloskey, Sr., was a philanthropist, political fundraiser, and served as Ambassador to Ireland during the Kennedy Administration.  In addition, he owned McCloskey & Co Construction, the Philadelphia Daily News, and, among many other holdings, the Claridge & Savoy apartment buildings in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia.

Mrs. Carabasi is survived by her children, R. Anthony III (Jane), Helen T. Whittaker, Matthew H. (Kathleen Squires), Thomas D., William R. (Alison), Paul M. (Lisa) and Joy C. Belew (Wendell), as well as 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sister Anne Reimel and her husband's brother, Robert Carabasi, MD (Lajuana).    A private memorial service will be held for family and friends at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, PO Box 76446, Philadelphia, PA 19101-7646.