Sister Mary Antonita, 87, a Felician Sister for 68 years, died in Blessed Mary Angela Convent Cheektowaga, New York, on Saturday, May 22, 2021. The former Theresa Ann was born on August 3, 1933 in Syracuse, New York to the late Genevieve (nee Wasielewski) and Anthony Sikorski.  She was a member of Sacred Heart Parish and attended St. Patrick High School in Syracuse, NY.  She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on July 16, 1952 and professed perpetual vows on August 6, 1960.  She furthered her education at Medaille (Mt. St. Joseph Teachers) College, Buffalo, NY, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree.

Sister Antonita began her ministry as a primary grade teacher at Transfiguration School, Buffalo, NY.  She taught at many Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Buffalo and at St. Peter School in Lowville, NY.  She had a unique way of presenting information to the students which enabled them to understand many concepts.

At St. Josaphat School, Cheektowaga, NY, St. Bernard School, and St. John Kanty School in Buffalo, she served as Religious Education Coordinator in addition to teaching.  She held this position in Religious Education at several places in Boonville, NY, and at Transfiguration Parish, in Rome, NY.

In September of 1986, Sister Antonita volunteered to serve in ministries in Brazil, South America, for two years.  Upon her return to the United States, she returned to elementary school teaching at St. John de La Salle School,  Niagara Falls, NY.

She embarked on a new twist in her ministerial journey in August 1990 when she began to serve as the Director of Religious Education at Infant of Prague Parish, Cheektowaga, NY.  Serving God this way was especially meaningful to her.  She loved working spiritually with children and adults preparing them for the sacraments.  She served at this parish in this capacity for 21 years.  She continued her stay for 7 more years as a Pastoral Associate.  In addition to accepting and enjoying her ministerial responsibilities as a Felician Sister, Sister Antonita cherished sharing her life with Sister Mary Norbert Sikorski, her sister, who preceded her in death on June 13, 2002.

In 2018, Sister Antonita began ministering to the sisters at the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center as a Pastoral Visitor. She became a patient in the Care Center on November 28, 2019.  Sister Antonita loved being with others and ministering to them.  She was fun-loving and full of energy as well as deeply rooted in her relationship with God.

Sister Antonita is survived by her sister-in-law, Helen Sikorski.  She was predeceased by her parents, Anthony and Genevieve Sikorski, her sister, Sister Mary Norbert Sikorski, and her brother, Richard Sikorski.

Services will be held privately by the Felician Sisters.

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 Antonita's Tribute page.