Sister Mary Martinelle at the age of 96, a Felician Sister for 78 years, died in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center, Buffalo, NY, on  Thursday, February 12, 2015.

The former Rose Niemiec was born on August 23, 1918 in Niagara Falls, NY.  She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on July 6, 1936 and professed perpetual vows on August 12, 1944.  She was a member of St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish, Niagara Falls, NY, and graduated from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy in Buffalo.  She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree at Mount St. Joseph Teachers College, now known as Medaille College, Buffalo, NY, and a Master of Music degree at the Catholic University of America, Washington DC.  Sister Martinelle also took advanced training courses in hand lettering at Columbus, OH, Coraopolis, PA, and Fordham University in Bronx, NY.

Sister Martinelle began her ministry as a second grade teacher at St. John Gualbert School, Cheektowaga, NY.  Since 1945, she has been involved in calligraphy and in 1946, she began teaching calligraphy, and general courses at Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy in Buffalo, NY.  When the Villa Maria School of Music opened in 1956 on Doat Street, together with Sister Mary Evangeline Pieniaszek, Sister Martinelle became involved and active in music education, initiating and conducting a professional program in the school.

In 1966, hopes and plans for an expanded music program under a staff of professionals were realized in the construction of the new music building, the Villa Maria Institute of Music with modern facilities for teaching and recitals.  Sister Martinelle served as Assistant Director and Instructor from 1966-1970 and became the Director in 1970.  Through her sponsorship, many local, national, and international artists performed at the Institute of Music situated at the Villa Maria College site.

Besides being involved in music education, Sister Martinelle became proficient in calligraphy.  During the summer of 1971, she spent six weeks on an European tour and studied Medieval Art and Architecture.  She  became a master calligrapher and continued to serve in this ministry for many years.

In 1975, Sister Martinelle moved to Holy Apostles SS. Peter and Paul Convent, Buffalo, NY, where she became involved in parish ministry in addition to music instruction and calligraphy.  She spent 23 years at this parish.  She was always a vibrant person who had many interests and adapted well to various situations.  She was genuinely concerned about her commitment to God and her sisters in community.  She returned to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Provincial House in 1998 and continued her involvement in music ministry and calligraphy until she was physically too weak to do so.  Sister Martinelle became a patient in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center on May 3, 2012.  She was very kind to her sisters in the care center.

Sister Mary Martinelle is survived by her sisters, Annette Martinkowski, Mary Schultz, nephews, nieces and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, the late Matthew and Catherine (Swidergal) Niemiec, and her sister, Wanda Bielec.

A wake for Sister Mary Martinelle will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Central Convent on Sunday, February 15, 2015 from 1 to 5 p.m.

An Evening Prayer Service will take place on February 15 in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent Chapel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, February 16, 2015 at 10 a.m. in the Convent Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Blessed Mary Angela section in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.