Sister Mary Aurelian Kosiba, 93, a Felician Sister for 75 years, died in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center Buffalo, NY, on December 9, 2017.   The former Genevieve Kosiba was born on February 10, 1924, in Buffalo, NY to the late Mary (nee Strzyz) and Anthony Kosiba. She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on July 9, 1942 from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Home for Children and professed perpetual vows on August 6, 1950.  She graduated from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Buffalo, NY.  She held a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Science degree from The Canisius College of Buffalo.  Sister Aurelian was the loving sister of the late Walter Kosiba, late Henry Kosiba and the late Bertha Janis. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Sister Aurelian began her ministry as an elementary school teacher at St. Casimir School, Buffalo, NY. She spent 12 years in Catholic elementary schools.  In 1956, she began teaching Math on the secondary level at Bishop Colton High School in Buffalo.  She taught Math at Sacred Heart High School, Syracuse, NY, as well as at Bishop Gibbons and Cardinal O'Hara High Schools and Villa Maria Academy in the Buffalo Diocese.  At Bishop Gibbons she also served as the Associate Principal and at Cardinal O'Hara as the Assistant Principal.  She was an excellent Math teacher who patiently helped students grasp Mathematical concepts.  After her secondary teaching experiences, she assisted the Provincial Treasurer for a year before returning to St. Casimir School to serve as Principal for a three-year term.

In 1985, Sister Aurelian was summoned to Rome, Italy, where she resided at Our Lady of Mediatrix of Graces Generalate and served as an assistant to the Treasurer General.  Upon her return, she ministered at Villa Maria Academy as a cafeteria manager, Athletic Center coordinator and directing maintenance personnel.  In 1991, Sister Aurelian began her services at Villa Maria College of Buffalo where she managed the Bookstore and building rentals.  She conscientiously served in this capacity for nine years. At the Provincial House she managed the Villa Maria Gift Shop.  In 2002, she joined the sisters at St. Francis Residence Convent where she volunteered her services as a part-time receptionist and enjoyed being involved in hand crafts.  She became a patient at the Felician Sisters Health and Wellness Center, now known at the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center, on April 1, 2008.  No matter where she served, her response to the question, "How are you, Sister?" was always, "The best that I can be."  During her stay at the Care Center, she would frequently have some jokes to share with others. She was always grateful for her sisters in community and for any assistance offered her.

Felician Sisters and family will be present at the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Villa Maria) Convent (600 Doat St) on Monday 6-8 PM and Tuesday 2-5 PM.  An evening Prayer Service will begin Tuesday at 5 PM in the Convent Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 AM in the Convent Chapel.

Interment will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, New York.

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