Helen was born on September 17, 1932, in Owensboro, Ky., to Henry Walter Hayden Jr., and Mayola Mullican Hayden. She was one of 16 children. She was the ninth child born to the family. Several of the children died when they were very young. Her brothers and sisters include: John Pascal, Henry Walter, Lucian Paul, Michael Mullican, Donald Richard, Mary Petronilla, Theresa Lilly, Raymond Estil, David Lee, Ann, Rose Marie, Marian Rachel, Gemma Mary, Dennis Martin and Alma Pauline.
Helen attended the first Blessed Mother School located on 7th and Frederica Streets and in fifth grade she attended St. Frances Academy at 5th and Allen. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth taught her. Her last two years of high school were at Bethlehem Academy where the Sisters of Loretto taught.
She entered Mount Saint Joseph convent on September 8, 1954, along with 15 other young women. On August 14, 1955, she received the name of Sister Marie Michael. She made her first vows on August 15, 1957, and her final vows on August 15, 1960.
She taught at St. Columba School, Louisville, Ky., and St. Catherine School, New Haven, Ky.
Beginning in 1964, Sister Marie Michael was engaged in religious education and parish ministries. She was the assistant director of religious education for the Diocese of Lincoln, Neb. She served as director of religious education for the Diocese of Owensboro. She was the director of religious education and parish minister for St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lebanon, Mo., and for Sacred Heart Parish, Russellville, Ky. Her final full-time ministry was serving as the director of religious education and pastoral associate for St. John the Baptist Parish, Fordsville, Ky.. She spent her final years at the Motherhouse being active in the Powerhouse of Prayer.
Sister Marie Michael, 85, died Wednesday, June 13, 2018, at Mount St. Joseph, in her 63rd year of religious life. The funeral Mass was on Monday, June 18, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. in the Motherhouse Chapel. Burial was in the convent cemetery.