At the age of 101, born Sophie Kakol, in Olean, New York to the late John and Josephine (Gnas) Kakol. Loving sister of Sister Mary Henriella Kakol, CSSF, Rita King, and the late Stanley Kakol and late Joseph Kakol. She is also survived by 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.

A gathering will be held at a future date. Please check back for updates to this information. In the meantime, please share a picture in our online Photo Album or a favorite memory in our Guest Book here on Sister Fidelma's Tribute page.

Sister Fidelma's Memorial Video....https://vimeo.com/417878461

Sister Mary Fidelma Kakol, Educator

Sister Mary Fidelma, 101, a Felician Sister for 83 years, died in the Blessed Mary Angela Convent, Buffalo, NY, on Monday, May 11, 2020.  The former Sophie Kakol was born on October 15, 1918 in Olean, NY.  She was a member of Transfiguration Parish in Olean.  She entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Felician Sisters in Buffalo, NY, on July 6, 1936 and professed perpetual vows on August 12, 1944.   She furthered her education at Medaille (Mount St. Joseph Teachers) College, Buffalo, NY, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree.  She also held a Master of Science in Education degree from State University of New York College at Buffalo.

SM Fidelma began her teaching ministry as a Kindergarten instructor at Our Lady of Czestochowa School, North Tonawanda, NY. She also taught Grades 4 through 6 in many Catholic elementary schools throughout the Diocese of Buffalo. In 1950, SM Fidelma taught grades 3 & 4 at her home parish, Transfiguration Parish, in Olean, NY. She returned to teach in Buffalo, and in 1957 was assigned to teach grade 5 at Transfiguration School, Rome, NY.  In 1958, SM Fidelma served as Assistant Director of the Novitiate at Holy Name of Mary Convent, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.  At several places of ministry, she also served as organist.

Upon her return to the Buffalo Diocese in 1958, she spent the next 16 years as a teacher at various schools, St. Amelia Tonawanda, NY; Queen of Martyrs, Cheektowaga, NY; Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Buffalo, NY; St. Andrew, Sloan, NY; and St. John De LaSalle, Niagara Falls, NY.  In 1968, while at Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School, Buffalo, SM Fidelma was also principal.

In 1975, SM Fidelma became involved in parish ministry at St. John Kanty Parish, Buffalo, NY, where she served for twelve years.  From 1987-2003 she assisted at the Villa Maria Convent Office as receptionist.  She soon became the director of the Convent Office. She had a kind and approachable manner which contributed to comfortable communication with others.  In 2004, SM Fidelma began serving as receptionist at St. Francis Residence Convent.  Due to failing health, she became a patient in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center, in 2008.  During her residence as a patient, she was kind and grateful to others for which she will be fondly remembered.