Sister Mary Francesca

Buczkowski, CSSF

Sister Mary Francesca, 83, a Felician Sister for 64 years, died in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Convent, Buffalo, NY, on November 11, 2026. The former Christine Buczkowski was born on June 16, 1943, in Buffalo, NY, and was a member of St. Valentine Parish. She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on August 1, 1962, and professed perpetual vows on August 3, 1969.

After graduating from Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy in 1960, she earned an Associate in Applied Science from Villa Maria College, Buffalo, NY, a Bachelor of Arts from Canisius College, Buffalo, NY, and a Master of Religious Education from Loyola University, Chicago, IL.

Sister Mary Francesca began her ministry as a Felician Sister in 1964, teaching first grade at Queen of Peace School, Buffalo, NY, and ministered at the elementary level in several diocesan schools including St. Casimir in Buffalo, NY, and St. Edmund and St. Amelia in Tonawanda, NY. An avid learner herself with a special love for English, History, and Religion, Sister Francesca was a positive and impactful influence in the classroom. A woman of many talents and skills, Sister Francesca also ministered as principal and director of religious education at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament School in Depew, NY, from 1978 to 1982, and as assistant principal at Villa Maria Academy from 1983-1988.

From 1968-78, Sister Francesca was primarily involved in religious education, coordinating programs at St. Philip Parish in Cheektowaga, NY, and St. Mary Parish in Batavia, NY. Her passion for spreading the Gospel message coupled with exceptional organizational and administrative skills led her to serve as Assistant Diocesan Director for Elementary Religious Education in the Diocese of Buffalo from 1973-1978. While in office she served on many related boards and committees, conducted numerous faith development workshops, organized conferences and seminars and spoke on topics pertinent to religious education throughout the diocese

Sister Francesca had a great love, respect, and appreciation for elderly religious, recognizing them as witnesses of God’s provident care. Her compassion for the frail and elderly, and clear and concise communication skills, led her to accept the challenging position of coordinator of the Retirement Fund for Religious Appeal in the Diocese of Buffalo from 1988-1993. She then served as Director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious Collaborative Health Care Project in the Diocese of Buffalo from 1993-1996. The main goal of the project was to assess the health care needs of religious in the diocese and set a direction to meet those needs.

Well recognized for her contributions to the Church and wider community, Sister Francesca received the Am-Pol Eagle Citizen of the Year Award in the field of Religion in 1992. In 1996, she was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross for her distinguished service to the Church and Papacy by Pope John Paul II.

From the onset of her profession as a Felician Sister, Sister Francesca was deeply involved in the affairs of the Felician community, chairing committees, serving as a delegate at General and Provincial Chapters, serving on the Board of Trustees of Villa Maria College, and being present to her sisters. She chaired the Villa Maria Provincial House Feasibility Study Committee and was financial manager of the renovation project from 2007 to 2009. Most prominently, Sister Francesca served as Provincial Treasurer from 2001-2010 and then as local liaison to the treasurer of the newly formed Our Lady of Hope Province to the present.

Deeply committed to the charism of Blessed Mary Angela and the spirit of St. Francis, Sister Francesca responded generously to Blessed Angela’s directive “to serve where you are needed.” She volunteered as chaplain at Lombardo Funeral Home for a period of eight years, reaching out to those grieving the loss of a loved one. In tune with the need for affordable housing in the Buffalo area, she championed the historic conversion of the former Villa Maria Academy into Angela House Senior Apartments with 67 affordable units geared toward seniors 55 and older.

A ministry very close to her heart was the St. Felix Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where she served on the St. Felix Social Ministries Board. Countless hours were spent being present to the guests at St. Felix Centre, fundraising, collecting, and delivering donations not only to St. Felix Centre, but also to the Response to Love Center in Buffalo. Sister Francesca was tireless in her efforts to stand by those in need.

Sister Francesca’s high school goal was “to be the saintliest person in the world, in one day.” She spent her whole life in service to God and her neighbors wherever they may be, learning that “God calls us to play our role of faith one day at a time and one person at a time.” A person of high professionalism, possessing a wealth of knowledge and gifted with the ability “to get things done,” Sister Francesca remained simple and unassuming, working quietly and persistently “cooperating with Christ in the spiritual renewal of the world.”

Sister Francesca is survived by her sister Patricia (Frank) Panek and her brother John Robert (late Judy) Buczkowski, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Stanley and Bertha (Zielinski) Buczkowski, and her brothers Stanley “Boots” (Joanne), Gerald (late Jeanne), Thomas (Marcy) and John Michael Buczkowski.

A Wake for Sister Mary Francesca will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 3 to 6 p.m. and Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 2 to 5 p.m. followed by an Evening Prayer Service at 5 p.m. in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent Chapel. Viewing will also take place on Monday, November 16, 2026, from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent Chapel followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m.

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

Burial 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 Francesca's Tribute page.