Sister Mary Edwardine, 85, a Felician Sister for 67 years, died in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center, Cheektowaga, NY, on Saturday, February 17, 2018. The former Theresa Machnica was born on September 13, 1932 in Buffalo, NY to the late Stella (nee Utecht) and Walter Machnica, and was a member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Cheektowaga, NY.  She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on July 16, 1950 and professed perpetual vows on August 14, 1950. After graduating from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Buffalo, NY, she furthered her education at Rosary Hill College, now known as Daemen College in Buffalo, NY, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. At State University of New York College at Buffalo she earned a Master of Science in Education degree.  Sister Edwardine was a loving sister of Sister Mary Francelite Machnica, CSSF, Barbara Machnica, Walter (Mary Ann) Machnica and the late Raymond (Yosh) Machnica. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Sister Edwardine was involved in Education throughout her life. She began teaching at the elementary level at St. Stanislaus School in Buffalo, NY. She taught at many schools within the Diocese of Buffalo. Her teaching also extended to the Diocese of Syracuse where she taught at Sacred Heart School in Syracuse, NY, and Transfiguration School in Rome, NY.   Sister Edwardine demonstrated a broad knowledge of subject matter and had the skill of maintaining student interest. Her specialized teaching area was in the field of Science.

At St. Luke School, Buffalo, NY, and Our Lady of Czestochowa-Ascension Consolidated School in North Tonawanda, NY, Sister Edwardine served as principal. After seven years of service at the Consolidated School, Sister Edwardine was cited by North Tonawanda Mayor Betty Hoffman for being chosen to receive the Elizabeth Seton Award for Meritorious Service in the Schools of the Diocese of Buffalo. The mayor proclaimed January 30 as, "Sister Mary Edwardine Day in North Tonawanda." Sister Edwardine was presented with this award at the Annual St. John Neumann Award Dinner in January 1988.

In 1999, Sister Edwardine continued teaching at St. Aloysius School, Cheektowaga, NY. Eighteen years later, she began to assist at Cantalician Center for Learning in various capacities. In 1990, when two sisters, one from Buffalo and the other from Coraopolis went to minister to the poor in Kingstree, South Carolina, SM Edwardine and her sister, SM Francelita, drove them there. For the most part, they went to assist the sisters residing there in working with the poor every year. Sister Edwardine found this visit to be a very rewarding experience. On February 7, 2010, because of ill health, she became a patient in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center. Sister Edwardine had a kind, positive disposition which was evident to the end of her life.

Felician Sisters and family will be present at the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Villa Maria) Convent (600 Doat Street) on Monday from 6-8 PM and Tuesday from 2-5 PM.  An evening Prayer Service will begin at 5 PM in the Convent Chapel.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at 10 AM.

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

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