Sister Mary Claire Doyle, 71, a Felician Sister for 53 years, died in Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, New York, on September 9, 2021.   The former Sharyn Ann Doyle was born to the late Howard and Clara (Bienko) Doyle on June 21, 1950, in Dunkirk, New York.   She was a member of Holy Trinity Parish in Dunkirk.  She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on August 11, 1968, and professed perpetual vows on August 14, 1977.  She graduated from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Buffalo, NY.  She held an Associate in Arts degree from Villa Maria College of Buffalo, a Bachelor of Science degree from Daemen College, Amherst, New York, and a Master of Science in Education Counseling degree from Niagara University, New York.

As a Felician Sister, Sister Claire was mainly involved in the field of education.  She began her ministry as an elementary school teacher in the primary grades.  She taught students at the primary grade level in schools within the Diocese of Buffalo.  She was a competent teacher who was well prepared and helped her students realize the importance of learning.  While teaching at the parish schools, she was also involved in religious education classes.

In 1985, Sister Claire began her ministry on the secondary level at Villa Maria Academy in Buffalo, NY, where she extended her educational skills by serving them in the Guidance Office.  After seven years as guidance counselor, she became coordinator of guidance services and ultimately the director of guidance.  Being very precise and conscientious, she helped many students find their direction toward a career.  She worked in guidance for eighteen years.

After the close of the Academy, Sister Claire became an assistant to the provincial administration of the Felician Sisters.  Concurrently, she was part of the administrative staff at the Institute of Music which was housed near Villa Maria College in Buffalo, New York.  She spent four years at the Institute which closed in 2008.  Sister Claire always had a deep love for music and enjoyed playing the piano and organ.  It gave her much pleasure to serve as a music instructor.  She served as the organist at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent since 2004.  She served as the local vicar at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent from July 2008 until July 2021.

At the time of her Golden Jubilee, Sister Claire wrote, "My vocation to this Congregation is priceless."  In her own words, "The many opportunities that I have had are appreciated.  God's grace and mercy were given to me in abundance."  She was an active member in the Congregation until God chose to take her to himself after open-heart surgery.

Sister Claire is survived by cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her brother, Eric Doyle.

A wake for Sister Claire will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent (600 Doat Street) on Sunday, September 12, 2021, from 3 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, September 13, 2021, at 10:00 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 Claire's Tribute page.