Age 100, born Mary Marszalek in Buffalo, New York to the late Mary (Warta) and John Marszalek.  Loving sister of the late Walter, Leo and Joseph Marszalek.  Aunt of Michael Marszalek.

Felician Sisters and family will be present at the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Villa Maria) Convent (600 Doat) on Monday 1-5 PM. An evening Prayer Service will begin at 5 PM in the Convent Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday 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 Luchesia Marszalek, Teacher, Director of Handcraft Ministry

Sister Mary Luchesia, 100, a Felician Sister for 81 years, died at the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center, Buffalo, NY, on Saturday, December 14, 2013.  The former Mary Marszalek was born on December 7, 1913 in Buffalo, NY. She was a member of Holy Apostles SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Buffalo.  She entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Felician Sisters in Buffalo on July 2, 1932, and professed perpetual vows on August 13, 1940.  After graduating from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy in Buffalo, she furthered her education at  Mount St. Joseph Teachers College now known as Medaille College, Buffalo, NY, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and Master of Science in Education degree.

Sister Luchesia began her ministry in Education as a teacher at St. Stanislaus Catholic elementary school, Buffalo, NY.  She continued serving as a full-time elementary school teacher for 41 years and a part-time teacher for 9 years in the Diocese of Buffalo with the exception of one year at Sacred Heart School in Syracuse, NY.  She also served as principal at Coronation, St. John Kanty and St. Adalbert Schools in Buffalo for a total of 20 years.  Both as a teacher and principal, her interactions with the students and parents were kind but firm, thus challenging the students to learn in a positive atmosphere.

In 1977, Sister Luchesia became a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Provincial House community while she ministered at Villa Maria Academy in Buffalo as a librarian for a year.  The following year, she began working with the elderly and sick sisters at Villa Maria Infirmary as the Director of Craft Ministry, enabling the sisters to use their creative skills in making handcrafts.  She was very dedicated to serving the sisters in this capacity for 30 years.  In addition to working with these sisters, she was an assistant to the Director of Novices, an aide to the Local Minister, and a Director of Formation Ceremonies and Liturgies at the Provincial House. Sister Luchesia loved the sisters and would do anything for and with them.

When the Craft Ministry Program closed in 2008, she continued doing handwork on her own and using the items she made as gifts for others.   Though she had much ambition and perseverance, her health began to decline slowly.  On December 7, 2013, Sister Luchesia celebrated her 100 ^th birthday.  As a special gift to her, Rev. Msgr. Robert Golombek, her friend for many years, celebrated a special Mass in her intention.  She participated in that Eucharistic Liturgy with a select group of sisters and friends.  A week later, on December 14, 2013, God took her to himself.