Sister Mary Dennis, CSSF

Child & Health Care / Provincial Leadership

Sister Mary Dennis, 94, a Felician Sister for 75 years, died in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center, on Wednesday, March 22, 2017. She was a member of St. John Kanty Parish in Buffalo, NY. The former Helen Buziak was born on January 12, 1923, in Buffalo, NY. She entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Felician Sisters in Buffalo, NY, on July 7, 1941, and professed perpetual vows on August 6, 1949. She graduated from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Buffalo, NY, and received certification of competence in child care from the Institute of Child Care School of Social Service at St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri.

Initially, Sister Dennis taught primary grades in parochial schools within the Diocese of Buffalo for seven years. As early as 1950, she became involved in child care at St. Rita's Home for Children in Getzville, NY. Five years later she was missioned to Sacred Heart School, Syracuse, NY as a Kindergarten teacher. The following year

she went to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Home for Children in Cheektowaga, NY, where she cared for a group of girls for 10 years. From 1966 to 1968, she taught Grade 4 at St. Peter School, Lowville, NY. Once again in 1968, she returned to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Home for Children to serve as the Administrator for 6 years. Sister Dennis loved working with the children at the Home and was gifted in her ability to deal with them.

In 1974, Sister Dennis began her ministry to the aged and infirmed sisters as an aide at Villa Maria Infirmary. She held this position until she was elected to leadership in the Felician Congregation as Vicar of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province from 1976 until 1982. After her leadership term, she returned to the Infirmary serving the sisters as their local leader. In 1989, Sister Dennis was elected to serve in leadership, this time as a Provincial Councilor. Six years later she returned as the local leader in the Infirmary for six years. The Infirmary had been renamed, Blessed Mary Angela Convent. She continued to serve the sisters indirectly afterward as part of the staff. The sisters residing there experienced her genuine interest in them as she enjoyed being able to assist them in meeting their needs.

In July 2001, Sister Dennis began to serve in Funeral Ministry. Four years later, in July 2004, she became sacristan. This ministry became a great challenge because of the necessary temporary move from the original Provincial House building to the Residence building due to renovations. Sister Dennis considered herself privileged to care for the chapel. She was very conscientious in fulfilling her responsibilities until her health no longer permitted her to serve in this capacity. She became a patient in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center on August 3, 2011. As a patient, in addition to prayer ministry, Sister Dennis continued to help with minor tasks in the sacristy for a good length of time. In addition to being a very spiritual person, she was always kind and approachable toward the sisters in community.

Sister Dennis is survived by her sister, Ann Buziak, nieces and a nephew. She was predeceased by her parents, the late Adam and Theodosia (Wycichowski) Buziak, her brothers, Thaddeus, Henry and Richard Buziak and her sister, Angeline Pietrzak.

A wake for Sister Mary Dennis will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Friday, March 24, 2017 from 2-5 p.m. An Evening Prayer Service will take place on Friday, at 5 p.m. in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent Chapel Villa Maria . A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at 10 a.m. in the Convent Chapel. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.