Helen Sagar Fein, 97, mother and researcher

Helen Sagar Fein, 97, a doting mother and onetime businesswoman, died Monday in her home at the Green Hill Condominium in Wynnewood.

Mrs. Fein had been in failing health for a few weeks, "but she really didn't have any ailments," her grandson Howard Smith said. "Her heart just shut down because of her age."

Born in Philadelphia, Mrs. Fein was valedictorian of her class at South Philadelphia High School for Girls in 1928 and won the school's French language award.

After attending Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania, she was a social worker for Jewish Family Service.

In 1942, she married Bernard Sagar, who was in retailing and the installment-loan business. They had two daughters, Susan Toll and Nancy Smith.

For 20 years, Mrs. Fein ran her own marketing-research firm in Philadelphia.

"But her family always came first," Toll said. "Whenever we would come home from school, she was there - with fresh lipstick, a smile on her face, and a snack on the table."

In 1981, five years after her husband's death, she married Martin Fein, a manufacturer of women's clothing. He died in 1993.

Mrs. Fein's apartment on City Line was the regular gathering place for the whole of her family. There was always room for one more, even when it got crowded.

"She was a matriarch. Everybody looked up to her," Toll said. "She was able to open her arms and love each of us for the people we were."

Said Howard Smith: "She had the unique ability to make each of us feel we were her favorite person in the whole world."

In addition to her daughters, Mrs. Fein is survived by four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held yesterday. Burial was at Mount Sharon Cemetery, Springfield, Delaware County.

Memorial donations may be made to the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, 2100 Arch St., Philadelphia 19103.