At the age of 102, born Irene Zalewski in Syracuse, New York to the late Anthony and Bertha (Wojciechowska) Zalewski. Loving sister of the late Joseph Zalewski, Edmund Zalewski, Frank Zalewski, and Genevieve Lepkowski. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Felician Sisters and family will be present at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent (600 Doat Street, Cheektowaga, NY) on Sunday, November 6, 2016 from 1-5 p.m.  An Evening Prayer Service will take place on November 6, at 5 p.m. in the Convent Chapel.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 10 a.m .

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

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

Sister Mary Cresceta Zalewski, CSSF, Teacher

Sister Mary Crescenta, 102, a Felician Sister for 84 years, died in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center, Buffalo, NY, on November 4, 2016.  The former Irene Zalewski was born on September 27, 1914 in Amsterdam, NY. She was a member of Transfiguration Parish in Syracuse, NY. She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters, on July 2, 1932, and professed perpetual vows on August 13, 1940.  She graduated from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Buffalo, NY, and furthered her education at Villa Maria College in Erie, PA, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree.

Of her 56 years as a full time primary grade teacher, Sister Crescenta taught in the Diocese of Syracuse for 30 years.  Her teaching ministry extended to Buffalo, Erie, Ogdensburg, and Canada.  She spent 10 years teaching at Holy Trinity School in Erie, PA.  At St. Stanislaus Kostka School in Niagara Falls, NY, and Transfiguration School in Syracuse, NY, she served as principal in addition to teaching.  She brought out the best in her students even if it meant taking extra time to sit with them and review materials.  In addition to teaching the regular curriculum, Sister Crescenta loved to teach her students to dance.

From 1988 to 1996, Sister Crescenta ministered as a remedial reading teacher at Sacred Heart School in Syracuse, NY.  In 1996, she joined the Immaculate Heart of Mary Provincial House community where she assisted with various services.  She became a patient in the Felician Sisters Health and Wellness Center now known as the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center on March 12, 2006.  While in the Center, she crocheted many hand towels until her vision curtailed this activity. During her stay at the Care Center, she was pleasant and welcoming toward everyone.