Sister Mary Anita, 87, a Felician Sister for 69 years, died in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Cheektowaga, NY, on May 17, 2022.   The former Lucille Benecki was born on December 4, 1934, in Erie, PA, and was a member of Holy Trinity Parish.  She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on September 6, 1952, and professed perpetual vows on August 6, 1960.  After graduating from Academy High School, Erie, PA, she furthered her education at Medaille (Mount St. Joseph) College, Buffalo, NY, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and the University of New York where she earned a Master of Arts degree.

Sister Mary Anita began her teaching ministry as a Felician Sister at Holy Cross School, Buffalo, NY.  After teaching at various Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Buffalo, Sister taught at the secondary level at Villa Maria Academy, Buffalo, NY, Bishop Gibbons, North Tonawanda, NY, and Cardinal O'Hara High School, Tonawanda, NY. Efficient and meticulous in all her work, Sister Anita served as secretary to the Diocesan Clergy Personnel Board from 1974 to 1986.

Many of Sister Anita's ministry years were dedicated to Villa Maria College of Buffalo.  She served as an instructor of business studies and as College Registrar.  Her attention to detail and mind for statistics led her to the position of Director of Institutional Research, a position she held for eleven years.  In 1997, Sister assumed the responsibility of College Archivist for a period of eighteen years as fulltime archivist, then part-time, and later as consultant, completing her active ministry in 2015.

In addition to her varied roles in education, Sister Anita was very active in Felician community life, serving as delegate to Provincial Chapters in 1975, 1981, and 1993. She served on numerous community committees, many of which she chaired.

Joining the community at Blessed Mary Angela Care Center in 2012, Sister Anita continued to give of herself, writing community birthday cards for every sister and staff member, and personally singing Happy Birthday to each celebrant.  She participated in the many activities offered and contributed her beautiful crocheted articles to various charitable causes. She was a proud member of the in-house Drama Club to which she, characteristically, gave her best. Cherishing her vocation, she was ever grateful to God for the gift of her parents and family for inspiring and supporting her life choice.  Blessed with many gifts, Sister Anita shared those gifts and her loving kindness with those she served. Sister Anita was always mindful of God's love and was faithful to Jesus' call to " Remain in my love."

Sister Anita is survived by her sister, Eleanor Yonko, nephews and a niece.   She was predeceased by her parents, John and Dorothy (Zielinski), and her brother Raymond.

A wake for Sister Anita will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Sunday, May 22, 2022, from 2 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, May 23, 2022, at 10:30 AM in the convent chapel.

The Mass will be live streamed via Zoom.  Please click this URL to join: https://feliciansisters.zoom.us/j/81821925807

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 Anita's Tribute page.

Sr. Anita's Memorial Video