Sister Mary Maxine, 95, a Felician Sister for 76 years, died in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Cheektowaga, NY, on May 11, 2022.   The former Agnes Kaminski was born on March 17, 1927, in Erie, PA, and was a member of Holy Trinity Parish.  She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on July 9, 1945, and professed perpetual vows on August 9, 1953.  After graduating from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Buffalo, NY, she furthered her education at Medaille (Mount St. Joseph) College, Buffalo, NY, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and a Master of Science in Education degree.

Active as an educator throughout her religious life, Sister Maxine taught at many Catholic elementary schools and Religious Education programs in the Diocese of Buffalo as well as in the Dioceses of Syracuse and Ogdensburg, NY, and the Diocese of Erie, PA.  An able administrator, she served as principal in many Catholic Schools in WNY including Transfiguration School, Buffalo; St. Andrew School, Sloan; St. Stanislaus Kostka School, Niagara Falls; St. Hyacinth School, Dunkirk; Resurrection School, Cheektowaga; and St. James School, Depew.  Her pleasant personality and steady encouragement helped her students develop a positive attitude toward learning.

In January 2001, Sister Maxine was assigned to Rome, Italy, as administrative assistant to the Secretary General of the Felician Order and the Congregational Archivist at Our Lady Mediatrix of Graces Generalate.  Feeding the poor and hungry who visited the Generalate daily was a ministry that Sister particularly loved.  Following her return to the United States in July 2004, Sister Maxine served as receptionist at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent and was involved in various internal services.

Due to failing health, Sister Maxine became a member of the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center community on October 29, 2013.  Despite growing physical weakness, Sister Maxine continued to maintain a positive attitude, gifting the sisters and staff alike with her cheerfulness and humor.  Sister Maxine cherished her vocation and was grateful for the opportunity to spread the Gospel message in action and word.  In her declining days, she continued to dedicate herself to building up the Kingdom of God by being loving and compassionate and spending more time in prayer.

Sister Maxine is survived by her nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Anthony and Gladys (Dylewski) Kaminski, her brothers, Joseph Kaminski, Chester Kaminski, Stanley Kaminski, Frank Kaminski and Walter Kaminski, and her sisters, Helen Kaminski, SM Clementine Kaminski, CSSF, and Irene Bojarski.

A wake for Sister Maxine will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 2 to 4 PM.  A Mass of Christian burial will immediately follow at 4 PM.

The Mass will be live streamed via Zoom.  Please click this URL to join: https://feliciansisters.zoom.us/j/82833247720

Interment will take place in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY, on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 1 PM.

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 Maxine's Tribute page.

Sr. Maxine's Memorial Video