Sister Mary Alisette, 92, a Felician Sister for 75 years, died in Buffalo General Hospital, Buffalo, NY, on September 8, 2024.   The former Eugenia Skotnicki was born on October 11, 1931, in Buffalo, NY to Helen (nee Kordasiewicz) and Stanley Skotnicki, and was a member of St. Florian Parish.  She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on July 16, 1949, and professed perpetual vows on August 13, 1957.  After graduating from Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Buffalo, NY, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Medaille (Mount St. Joseph) College, Buffalo, NY, a Master of Science in Education from State University of NY at Potsdam, and a Master of Pastoral Studies from Loyola University of Chicago, IL.

Sister Mary Alisette began her ministry as a Felician Sister in 1951 as a kindergarten teacher at St. Stanislaus Kostka School, Niagara Falls, NY.  She served the Diocese of Buffalo for nineteen years, first as a teacher in area elementary schools at various levels and then as principal at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament School, Depew, NY, and Fredonia Catholic School, Fredonia, NY.  In the Diocese of Ogdensburg, Sister Alisette taught Grade 6 for four years at St. Peter School, Lowville, NY, and served as a principal at St. Mary School, Canton, NY, for three years. She also served as principal in the Diocese of Syracuse at Sacred Heart School, Syracuse, NY, for four years.

Sister Alisette, herself a life-long learner, was a gifted educator and wise administrator.  She took advantage of every opportunity to extend her knowledge, including additional courses at State University of NY at Plattsburg, and leadership courses at St. Joseph College, West Hartford, CT.  All her studies found their way into her teaching methods and her professionalism as a principal.  Her open and friendly manner added to her effectiveness in all her ministries.

Always deeply involved in all aspects of Felician community life, Sister Alisette was engaged in leadership roles from 1980 to 1989 serving first as a provincial councilor and secretary and then as provincial vicar of the former Immaculate Heart of Mary Province.  During these years she also ministered as Director of Formation.

Leaving the field of education in 1990, Sister Alisette's deep love of God and enthusiastic commitment to the Church led to parish ministry.  She served as a pastoral associate at St. Michael Parish, Lackawanna, NY, and then at St. George Parish, West Falls, NY.  She also ministered at Blessed Sacrament Parish, Kenmore, NY, in the Parish Outreach Program.

After nineteen years of fruitful parish ministry, Sister Alisette "reinvented" herself once again, as she shared her compassionate love and vibrant spirit with the sisters receiving health services at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent.   She was part of the pastoral care team and later, also served as activity director.  Her total availability to the sisters in her care genuinely reflected the charism and heart of Blessed Mary Angela.

Sister Alisette was the loving sister of the late Stanley Skotnicki and Theresa Dybas.  She is survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

A wake for Sister Alisette will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, 600 Doat St. Cheektowaga, on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 2 to 5 PM.  An Evening Prayer Service will take place at 5 PM in the convent chapel.

Felician Sisters and family will begin gathering on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 9 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in the convent chapel.

The Mass will be live-streamed via Zoom. Please Click here to watch live on Wednesday morning. (You'll need a "zoom" account prior to log in)

Interment will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.

Memorials may be made to Felician Sisters, 600 Doat Street Cheektowaga, New York 14211.

Please share a picture in our online Photo Album or a favorite memory in our Guest Book here on Sister Alisette's Tribute page.