Sister Mary Bronisia Muzalewski, 94, a Felician Sister for 75 years, passed away at Harris Hill Nursing Facility in Lancaster, New York on Monday, December 7, 2020. The former Dorothy Muzalewski was born on September 27, 1925, in Buffalo, NY to the late Agnes (nee Szmania) and Valentine Muzalewski.  She was a member of St. Adalbert Parish in Buffalo.  She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on July 9, 1945, and professed perpetual vows on August 9, 1953.  She furthered her education at Medaille College (Mount St. Joseph Teachers College) where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education.

Sister Bronisia began her ministry of caring for children at St. Rita's Home for Children in Getzville, NY.  She continued directing a group of girls at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Home for Children in Cheektowaga, NY.  In 1953, she began her teaching career at Sacred Heart School in Syracuse, NY, where she taught first grade.

Upon her return to the Diocese of Buffalo in 1959, Sister Bronisia continued teaching children at the primary grade level at St. Amelia School, Tonawanda, NY.  She taught at many schools in the Diocese for 37 years.  In a small blurb about herself she stated, "God has blessed me with a great love of children which I was able to express in my many years in the teaching profession." It gave her much pleasure to prepare her students to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion.  She was a model teacher for others and always stressed the importance of readiness in teaching.

In addition to teaching, SM Bronisia served as the principal at St. Florian School in Buffalo, Queen of Martyrs and Our Lady of Czestochowa Schools in Cheektowaga, Transfiguration School in Olean and Sts. Peter & Paul School in Depew. At St. John de LaSalle School in Niagara Falls, she was the Reading Coordinator.  She was also involved in local leadership at many convents.

From August 1996 to March 2013, Sister Bronisia resided at St. Hyacinth Convent, which was later renamed Blessed Mary Angela Convent, in Dunkirk, NY.   Here she ministered within the parish as a reading teacher and an aide at the school and as sacristan in the church.  She enjoyed her 16 year-stay in Dunkirk. Because of declining health, she became a patient at the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center, Buffalo, NY on March 9, 2013.  During her stay, she was pleasant and cooperative and enjoyed being with the sisters in community.

Sister Mary Bronisia is predeceased by brothers, Bill and Edward Muzalewski, and sisters Sophie Mach, Florence Muzalewski, Clara Pawlak, and Frances Panfil.  She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Felician Sisters and family will celebrate a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial at a future date.

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 Bronisia's Tribute page.

Sister Bronisia's Memorial Video