Sister Paula Marie, 84, a Felician Sister for 66 years, died in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, NY, on October 26, 2024.   The former Gertrude Skalski was born on October 1, 1940, in Buffalo, NY, and was a member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish.  She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on June 22, 1958, and professed perpetual vows on August 16, 1966.  After graduating from Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Buffalo, NY, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Medaille (Mount St. Joseph) College and a Master of Arts from St. Joseph College, West Hartford, Connecticut.

Sister Paula Marie began her ministry as a Felician Sister in 1961 at St. Josaphat School, Cheektowaga, NY, where she taught first grade.  An excellent primary grade teacher, she served in the Diocese of Buffalo as an educator for twenty years and in the Diocese of Ogdensburg for two years.  Her passion for teaching younger children and the desire to the build strong readers, led her to Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, WI, where she added the title of Reading Specialist to her teaching credentials.  While teaching in the pre-kindergarten program at Our Lady of Black Rock School, Buffalo, NY, Sister Paula Marie initiated an extended-day program to accommodate the needs of the students and their parents.  The program offered important foundational skills for its young students.

Sister Paula Marie also had a missionary heart, eager to share in the Congregation's mission to "cooperate with Christ in the spiritual renewal of the world."  From 1970-75, she ministered at Mary Immaculate School, Sao Paulo, Brazil, as a primary grade teacher and instructor of English to students of multi-lingual backgrounds.   Upon her return to the United States, she taught for one year at Villa Maria Learning Center and was involved in parish ministry at Holy Cross Parish.  Once again, called to serve in Brazil, Sister Paula returned to Sao Paulo to work in parish ministry at Our Lady Help of Christians Church from 1979-84.  Then, Sister Paula was involved in parish ministry at Holy Cross, St. John Kanty and St. Valentine parishes in Buffalo, NY, and Holy Spirit Parish, North Collins, NY.

Ready to offer compassionate service wherever she was needed, Sister Paula ministered in many ways to the sisters at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, NY.   She was part of the pastoral care team, a chauffeur and receptionist, but above all else, in the spirit of Blessed Mary Angela, she sought to be "Eucharist…Sister…and Servant" to her sisters and all those she encountered.  Even as her own health began to diminish, Sister Paula remained present to her sisters.  When she celebrated her Golden Jubilee of religious life, Sister Paula Marie gratefully acknowledged "the goodness and blessings that have been realized in my life as a member of the Felician Congregation."

Sister Paula Marie is survived by her sisters Constance (William) Waible, Barbara (the late Captain John "Jake") O'Keefe, Phyllis (Dr. Robert) Sterin; her brothers George (Nadege), Dr. James (Marian), and Michael Skalski, and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents Stephen and Cornelia (Brodnick) Skalski and her brother Stephen Skalski.

A wake for Sister Paula Marie will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, from 3 to 5 p.m. followed by an Evening Prayer Service at 5 p.m. in the Convent Chapel.

There will also be a viewing on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 a.m. in the Convent Chapel.

The Mass will be live-streamed via Zoom. Please Click Here to watch live on Wednesday morning. (You'll need a "zoom" account prior to log in).

Interment will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.

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

Please share a picture in our online Photo Album or a favorite memory in our Guest Book here on Sister Paula Marie's Tribute page.