Age, 82, born Leona Dolata in Detroit, Michigan to the late Eugenia (nee Krygier) and Leonard Dolata.  Loving sister of Raymond Dolata, Thomas Dolata, Annette Dobrasz and the late Richard Dolata.  Also survived by nieces and nephews.

Felician Sisters and family will be present at the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Villa Maria) Convent (600 Doat) on Tuesday 2-5 PM.  An evening Prayer Service will begin at 5 PM in the Convent Chapel.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 AM.

Interment will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, New York.

Memorials may be made to Felician Sisters, 600 Doat Street, Cheektowaga, NY  14211.

SISTER MARY PETER DOLATA, CSSF, Educator, Secretary

Sister Mary Peter, 82, a Felician Sister for 64 years, died in Erie County Medical Center , Buffalo, NY, on September 22, 2013.  The former Leona Dolata was born on February 9, 1931, in Detroit, MI.  She was a member of St. Florian's Parish, Buffalo, NY.   She entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Felician Sisters in Buffalo, NY, on July 16, 1949, and professed perpetual vows on August 13, 1957.  She graduated from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Buffalo, NY.  She furthered her education at Rosary Hill College, now known as Daemen College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and at The Canisius College of Buffalo where she received a Master of Science degree.

Gifted with secretarial skills, Sister Mary Peter ministered as a Business Studies Teacher at Catholic high schools within the Diocese of Buffalo.  She taught at Villa Maria Academy and Bishop Colton High School in Buffalo and at Bishop Gibbons High School in North Tonawanda, NY.   In 1974, she began her ministry at Notre Dame High School in Batavia, NY, where she held the position of Associate Principal, taught part-time and served as a Guidance Counselor for 9 years.  She returned to Villa Maria Academy in 1983 as a Guidance Counselor and soon moved to Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda, NY, where she became the Director of Guidance.  She returned once again to Villa Maria Academy as the Director of Guidance in 1988.  Sister Peter had excellent rapport with her students and prepared them well for college and the business world.

Throughout her life, her business skills kept her involved in the Felician Congregation.  As early as 1965, she served at Our Lady of Mediatrix of Graces Generalate in Rome, Italy, as a typist for 5 years.  She returned to Rome for the General Chapters in 1982 and 1994 as Coordinating Secretary and Chapter Secretary respectively.  In 1992, she was appointed to minister at the Felician Sisters Central Archives in Enfield, Connecticut, and assisted as liaison for the publishing of the Felician Constitutions titled Response To Love. She was very efficient in her work, generous with her time and skills, and dedicated in fulfilling her responsibilities.

Because of severe rheumatoid arthritis, Sister Peter became a patient in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center in 1995.  For a while, she continued assisting the sisters as an aide to the Provincial Treasurer, Project Coordinator and Provincial Archives Consultant.  She was also a member of the Villa Maria Academy Advisory Board.  Sister served on the Pastoral Care Team in the Care Center until she was physically unable to do so.  She suffered for 18  years, gradually becoming weaker.  Throughout her illness she tried to reach out to others as best as she could until the Lord took her to himself.