Barangay Bay-ang got its name from a specie of tree locally found in the island called bay-ang, which served as a landmark of the still unknowned place which was recognized for its abundant aquati resources. It is situated at the southeast of Surigao del Norte facing the mainlands of Surigao del Norte and del Sur. Its abundant fishing area had attracted people coming from different places mostly from Bohol and Leyte to settle here which eventually attracted some barter traders to engage their business for fish and dry goods.
In 1920, Bay-ang was under the municipality of Numancia now called Del Carmen, because at that time Socorro was not yet declared a municipality thus, territorual boundaries were not yet properly divided. Since 1947, the settlers if Bay-ang slowly increased and, thus, a new barangay was born. The people's faith expressed through religious beliefs and practices strengthening their bonding as a community. Most of them were Catholics. A fiesta celebration in honor of their patron Saint, St. Isidore, was then already being held.
The scarcity of vocations was th emain problem of the diocese at that time. Consequently, some spiritual needs were not fully attended to, and Bay-ang was not exempted from this. Even during their fiesta celebrations, they invite priest priest from different parishes to celebrate mass with them. Even IFI priests were invited too. For them, there was no distinction between Catholics and IFIs.
In 1972, the people agreed to buil a small chapel through the leadership of Delmoro Family, namely, Joes, Juan, and Estefana. Michael Luisto was then the teniente de barangay.
The people were not yet thoroughly catechized in the Catholic doctrine. However, through the presence of IFI priests, who took care of their spiritual needs, thinking that they are just like Catholics, they received their baptism and even marriages from them. The people did'nt mind if one is an IFI clergy or a Catholic priest. It does not matter. Then came the time when Socorro was separated from Numancia and the pastoral care was entrusted to Dapa Parish. In 1986, Socorro finally had a resident priest. The missionary priest, Rev. Fr. Alejandrino Plaza, SVD, was assigned in Socorro. He took care of the spiritual needs of the faithful. He visited different chapels in Socorro. Bay-ang was one of his favorites because of the friendly and welcoming attitude of the people. Through the assistance of the charismatic movement, people were opened to the reality that the Catholic Church is different from the IFI. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, people became active to the Church activities and they decided to build a new chapel made of sticks and nipa situated at the foot of a hill in 1986. The first LMLs (Laykong Ministro sa Liturhiya) were Juanito Aguhao and Adolfo Delmoro. The elected chapel presidents were: Saturnino Delmoro, Bonifacio Tiguistiguis, and Belen Delmoro. The location of the chapel was no longer conducive for spiritual activities because of the new basketball court built beside it. Because of this, the faithful decided to transfer it at the upper part of the hill. In 1987, it was already made up to concrete materials.
The name Bay-ang as changed to Dona Helene in honor of the late wife of the late Congressman Constantino Navarro Sr., because of her contributionfor the improvement of the barangay. At the moment, Dona Helene is populated by Catholics who formed the majority and are trying to live up the demands of being Catholics.