Sister Mary Ambrose Wozniak, 81, a Felician Sister for 63 years, died in UPMC Passavant-McCandless Hospital, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 20, 2021.   The former Theresa Wozniak was born to the late Mack and Martha (Desser) Wozniak on October 14, 1940, in Erie, Pennsylvania.   She was a member of Holy Trinity Parish in Erie, PA.  She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on July 2, 1958, and professed perpetual vows on August 16, 1966.  She graduated from Holy Trinity Elementary School and St. Benedict Academy in Erie, PA.  She held a Bachelor in Arts degree from Medaille College of Buffalo, and a Master of Science in Education from State University of New York College at Buffalo.

As a Felician Sister, Sister Ambrose ministered in the field of education.  She was a teacher at St. Amelia School in T onawanda, at Holy Spirit School in North Collins, and at Holy Cross School in Buffalo. She was involved in the Religious Education Programs at parishes where she resided.

Her ministry at Villa Maria College of Buffalo began in August of 1967, when she was appointed to be the Director of Admissions. She was responsible for financial aid and off campus housing as well.  In 1979, she served as a part-time English instructor.  In July of 1980, Sister Ambrose became vice president of student affairs.  She spent 21 years of her life providing leadership , trust, understanding, courage and love to those around her at the college.

In January of 1989, her leadership skills took another direction She was elected to serve as the provincial vicar in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province in Buffalo.  She served in this capacity for two terms, a period of twelve years. In 2001, she became the provincial minister in the province, leading the sisters for another six years. Her dedication to God, to the Felician Congregation and her outgoing personality helped her with the challenges of leadership.  In July of 2006, she accepted another leadership role, that of serving as a general council member for the entire Congregation of the Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice .  She resided in Rome, Italy, during the following six years.

Upon her return from Rome, Sister Ambrose assumed the responsibility of serving as the p rovincial/ r egional c oordinator for the Cause of Blessed Mary Angela, a position she kept until shortly before her death.  Among her writings, she expressed her delight at being able to attend the b eatification of our Foundress, Blessed Mary Angela, in Rome, in 1993. In 2013, Sister Ambrose mo ved to the Provincial House in Beaver Falls, PA, to serve as an administrative assistant.  This is where she worked until her illness and eventual death, She truly fulfilled what she once wrote, "I pray that in the years ahead, I continue to seek the Will of God in my life, participate fully in the life of the p rovince and c ongregation and serve others to the greatest extent possible."

Sister Ambrose is the loving sister of Mary Voorhees and is also survived by nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her brothers Edward Donn, Louis Donikowski, and Joseph Donikowski and her sisters Martha Markiewicz and Ann Wozniak.

A wake for Sister Ambrose will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, 600 Doat Street, on Sunday, October 24, 2021, from 1 to 5 PM.  An Evening Prayer Service will take place at 5 PM in the convent chapel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 25, 2021, at 11:00 AM in the convent chapel.

Interment at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, in Cheektowaga, New York.

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 Ambrose's Tribute page.