Sister Mary Thaddeus, 89, a Felician Sister for 66 years, died in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center, Buffalo, NY, on Tuesday, May 7, 2019.   The former Esther Pogorzala was born on December 15, 1929, in Buffalo, NY, and was a member of Queen of Martyrs Parish.   She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on October 10, 1952 and professed perpetual vows on August 6, 1960.  After graduating from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, she furthered her education at Medaille College in Buffalo, NY, with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree.

Initially, Sister Thaddeus began her teaching ministry in Canada, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Day Care Center in Toronto, Ontario, for a year and cared for children at St. Rita's Home for Children in Getzville, NY.  She then began her ministry as an elementary school teacher at Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Buffalo.  She spent 6 years teaching at the parish to which she belonged, namely, Queen of Martyrs School Cheektowaga, NY.  At St. Adalbert School in Buffalo, NY, she served  as principal.

At most parishes where she ministered, Sister Thaddeus also taught in the Religious Education Programs.  At Holy Spirit Parish, North Collins, NY, St. Gabriel Parish, Elma, NY, St. Bernard Parish, Buffalo, NY, and SS. Peter & Paul Parish, Depew, NY, she served as the Religious Education Coordinator.  She enjoyed working with students in these programs.

Sister Thaddeus also ministered to the sisters in community in various ways.  In addition to other local leadership positions, she served at Villa Angela Convent, Elma, NY, maintaining the convent for the recreational use of the sisters in the province for six years.  She was summoned to local leadership at Our Lady Mediatrix of Graces Generalate in Rome, Italy, from 1984 to 1987.  Her last service in this capacity was at St. Felix Convent, Buffalo, NY, where the sisters ministered to the special education students who attended the Cantalician Center for Learning.

In January 2008, Sister Thaddeus became a member of St. Francis Residence Convent in Buffalo.  On August 1, 2011, because of poor health, she became a patient in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center in Buffalo, NY.  Sister Thaddeus had a deep devotion to the Merciful Christ.  She would often be seen praying the Stations of the Cross in the Convent Chapel.  She enjoyed her sisters in community.

Sister Thaddeus is survived by her brother Leonard (Frances) Pogorzala as well as nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, the late John and Rose (Olszewski) Pogorzala and her brothers, Richard, Thaddeus, Alfred, Daniel. John, Jr., and Harold Pogorzala.

A wake for Sister Mary Thaddeus will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Central Convent on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday, May 9, 2019, from 2 to 5 p.m. An Evening Prayer Service will take place on Thursday, at 5 p.m. in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent Chapel.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 10, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in the Convent Chapel.

Burial will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, New York.

Memorials may be made to the Felician Sisters, 600 Doat Street, Cheektowaga, New York 14211.