Age of 97, born Laura Ruby in Dunkirk, New York to the late Mary (nee Sweryda) and Ignatius Ryby.  Loving sister of Joan Beatman and the late John Ryby, Rose Jesse and Dorothy Ostrye. Also survived by nieces and nephews.

Felician Sisters and family will be present at the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Villa Maria) Convent, 600 Doat, on Thursday 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 Friday at 10 AM.

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

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

Sister Mary Gracille Ryby, CSSF, Social Services

Sister Mary Gracille, 97, a Felician Sister for 79 years, died in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center, Buffalo, NY, on Wednesday, February 4, 2015.   The former Laura Ryby was born on February 21, 1917, in Dunkirk, NY, and was a member of St. Hyacinth Parish.   She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on July 8, 1935 and professed perpetual vows on August 12, 1943.  She graduated from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy in Buffalo.  She pursued further studies and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education at Mount St. Joseph Teachers College, now known as Medaille College, Buffalo, NY, as well as a Master of Social Service degree and a Master of Education degree at State University of New York at Buffalo.

Sister Gracille began her ministry as an intermediate grade teacher in 1937 at St. John Gualbert School, Cheektowaga, NY.  In 1941, she taught at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Home for Children in Cheektowaga for five years and later served at the Home as a social worker for 13 years.  She considered her love for children her greatest gift in ministry. This was evident in her long lasting relationships with former students especially from the Home.  She eventually returned to teaching in Diocesan schools in Buffalo.  Sister Gracille also taught at St. Peter School in Lowville, NY for three years and served as principal and teacher there several years later.  From August 1964 to February 1966, she ministered at the Generalate in Rome, Italy, as a receptionist and  in hospitality.  During this time she met many prominent people, one of whom was Bishop Carl Wojtyla who later became Pope John Paul II, known today as St. John Paul II.

In August, 1971, Sister Gracille embarked on a new ministry, that of working as a Consultant for  Catholic Charities as well as the Coordinator of Day Care Services in the Diocese of Buffalo.  She served in this capacity for twenty-four years. Being a very vibrant person, Sister Gracille became active in other projects in addition to fulfilling her responsibilities. In the years following, she returned to the Catholic elementary education at Our Lady of Czestochowa School, in Buffalo, NY, ministering as a librarian.

She began part-time ministry at Villa Maria College of Buffalo in 1998, first as a cafeteria aide and then as an aide in the Development Office.  After 10 years of service, because of poor health, she became a patient in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center on April 8, 2008.  As a patient, she continued to keep in touch with her many friends and actively participated in activities until her physical condition weakened.  She is remembered as very active and vibrant to the end.