Sister Christine McManus, a Sister of St. Mary of Namur for more than 40 years, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 4, 2020, at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, in Buffalo, NY.

Sister Christine was in second grade at Buffalo School 9 when her teacher discovered why she was lagging as a student. She was deaf. But she lip-read really well, her friend Sister Mary Asarese said. Before she was in second grade, she was reading lips.

She completed elementary school at St. Mary's School for the Deaf, they could not find a high school to accommodate her until the principal of Annunciation High School, Sister St. Augustine, a Sister of St. Mary of Namur, took a special interest in her.

Another friend, Sister Maureen Quinn, said, This interest showed itself in her asking Christine to help her after school with such things as sorting papers or small tasks about the office. At this point, she began to develop a sense of self-worth and confidence. It was here that she also started to see herself as a Sister.

Born in Buffalo, the oldest of three girls, she joined the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur in 1967. She earned a Bachelor's
Degree in Art and Education from Rosary Hill College, now Daemen College.

Sister Christine taught art at St. Paul's Elementary School in Kenmore, Sacred Heart School in Lowell, Mass., and Annunciation Elementary School in Buffalo before returning to St. Paul's. When she met a new class, she would explain her handicap, show them her hearing aids, and tell them to look at her when they spoke. Sister Mary said. She noted that, with hearing aids, Sister Christine had a small degree of hearing in one ear.

In retirement, she was active with Concern Ecumenical Ministries and People Inc., helping the elderly and handicapped. A member of a drumming group and S.H.H., an organization for the deaf, she also belonged to the Laughing Club and loved to tell jokes.

She brightened the St. Mary Center with calendars, cards, and decorations she made for feast days and birthdays.

Sister Christine is survived by her two younger sisters, Terriann (Edward) Mirowski and Mary (David) Tur. Her nieces and nephew Andrea Mirowski, Darcy Mirowski, Lisa (Michael) Swierczynski, Nicholas Tur, and Sarah Tur. Her Aunt Virginia Damasiewicz, and is also survived by many great-nieces and nephews, cousins and her beloved Sisters of St. Mary. She was predeceased by her mother Theresa (nee Michalak) McManus and her brother John McManus.

Family and friends will be present on Sunday, July 12, 2020, from 1-3 PM at the PIETSZAK FUNERAL HOME, 2400 William Street, near Harlem Road, in Cheektowaga, NY, where a Celebration of her Life will take place at 2:30 PM.

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

In accordance with New York State guidelines, current capacity restrictions may cause delayed entry. Please be mindful that while you are attending the services for Sister Christine, face masks, and social distancing will be necessary at all times. Thank you for your support and understanding.