At the age of 97, born Helen Szymanski in Buffalo, New York to the late Frances (nee Fila) and Anthony Szymanski.  Loving sister of the late Edward Szymanski, Jean Kiebzak, Marie M. Dembski and Stephanie Norman. 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 will begin on Thursday at  5 PM in the Convent Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 AM.

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

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

Sister Mary Laurene Szymanski, CSSF, Teacher

Sister Mary Laurene, 97, a Felician Sister for 78 years, died in Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo, NY, on August 24, 2015.  The former Helen Szymanski was born on January 22, 1918 in Buffalo, NY, and was a member of Assumption Parish.   She entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Felician Sisters in Buffalo, NY, on July 7, 1937, and professed perpetual vows on August 13, 1945.  She graduated from Villa Maria Academy in Buffalo and furthered her education at from Mount St. Joseph Teachers College, now known as Medaille College, Buffalo, NY, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree.

Sister Laurene initially began her teaching ministry as a sixth grade teacher at St. Luke School in Buffalo.  She served as a full time elementary grade teacher of students from Kindergarten to seventh grade in many Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Buffalo for thirty-eight years.  She spent two years teaching in the Diocese of Syracuse at St. Stanislaus School in Utica, NY.  At Transfiguration School in Olean, NY, Sister Laurene served as principal in addition to teaching. She prepared conscientiously for her classes and made efforts to reach every student she taught. At St. Amelia School in Tonawanda, NY, Sister Laurene ministered for nine years, first as a fourth grade teacher then as a librarian and tutor.  At most of the parishes, she also taught students in the Religious Education Program.

Sister Laurene had many ministerial experiences in community.  She was a child aide at St. Rita's Home for Children in Getzville, NY, and cared for a group of boys at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Home for Children in Cheektowaga, NY, She served as a Library Aide and Director of Auxiliary Enterprises at Villa Maria College of Buffalo. She assisted with remedial reading. at Villa Maria Learning Center in Buffalo. In 1995, Sister Laurene continued her services on a part-time basis.  She was an office aide in the Records Office at Villa Maria College and at the Development Office of Villa Maria Academy. Her services extended to the Provincial Archives and the Blessed Mary Angela Office.

She became a patient in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center on January 29, 2013.where she was involved in prayer ministry to the end of her life.