Sister Mary Rachel, 82, a Felician Sister for 64 years, died in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, NY, on August 6, 2026. The former Margaret Mikolajczak was born on November 23, 1943, in Buffalo, NY, and was a member of Transfiguration 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, Buffalo, NY, she earned an Associate in Applied Science degree at Villa Maria College of Buffalo, a Bachelor of Science in Education degree at Medaille (Mount St. Joseph) College in Buffalo, NY, and a Master of Arts degree at Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Sister Mary Rachel began her ministry as a Felician Sister in 1964 as a kindergarten teacher at St. Casimir School, Buffalo, NY, and served the Diocese of Buffalo in area schools for forty-three years. Sister Rachel taught the primary grades at St. John Kanty and St. Stanislaus Schools, Buffalo, NY; Our Lady of Czestochowa, North Tonawanda, NY; and Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Depew, NY, for a total of 13 years. A lover of children and a firm believer that “all children can learn,” Sister Rachel also served as principal in area schools for a total of 30 years: Our Lady of Czestochowa, North Tonawanda, NY; St. Stanislaus, Buffalo, NY; St. Amelia, Tonawanda, NY; and at St. Hyacinth, Dunkirk, NY. Her philosophy of education, “every child must be given the opportunity to reach his/her potential and to experience the rich traditions of the Catholic Church,” provided a robust framework for the schools, creating an atmosphere of Christian love and mutual respect, and consequently, the perfect learning environment.

Sister Rachel ministered as principal at St. Hyacinth School from 1996 until the school’s closing in 2007. Always active in the faith communities where she served, it was only natural for her to remain at St. Hyacinth Parish as pastoral assistant when the school closed. Full of love and zeal for the Church and possessing an energy equal to her enthusiasm, Sister Rachel was deeply involved in parish liturgies, served on various committees, and initiated and organized groups, such as Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Youth Ministry, and weekly Bible Study. Sister also coordinated Faith Formation Program classes for Kindergarten to Grade 5.

Honoring Sister Rachel as she marked fifty years of religious life, Mayor Richard Frey of Dunkirk referred to Sister Rachel as “God’s gift to Dunkirk.” In her remarks at that time, Sister Rachel acknowledged her deep gratitude to God “for all the gifts he has given me and…for all that he has done through me as his instrument.”

As her health failed, Sister Rachel left Blessed Mary Angela Parish (former St. Hyacinth Parish) in 2022, to continue her ministry of joyful presence and service among the sisters of her Felician family at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, NY. She quickly won the hearts of everyone with her vibrant personality, sense of humor, and love for life and her religious community.

Sister Rachel is survived by her sister Joyce (John) Clemens. She was predeceased by her parents, Bernard and Gertrude (nee Szymanski) Mikolajczak and her brother Michael (Kathy) Mikolajczak.

A wake for Sister Rachel will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Sunday, August 9, 2026, from 2 to 5 p.m. followed by an Evening Prayer Service at 5 p.m. in the convent chapel. Another viewing will take place on Monday, August 10, 2026 in the Convent Chapel from 9 to 10 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m.

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 Rachel's Tribute page.