Age 87, born Antoinette Burakowski in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada to the late Agnes (Malenczak) and John Burakowski.  Loving sister of Anthony Burakowski, Theresa Quinn and the late John Burakowski, Peter Burakowski, Joseph Burakowski, Leo Burakowski, Genevieve Burakowski, Catherine Lazarz and Victoria Karp. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Felician Sisters and family will be present at the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Villa Maria) Convent (600 Doat) on Thursday 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 Saturday at 10 AM. (No Visitation will be held on Friday.)

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

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

Sister Mary Virginelle Burakowski, Educator
Sister Mary Virginelle, 97, a Felician Sister for 79 years, died in the Blessed Mary Angela Care Center,  Wednesday,  July 2, 2014.  She was a member of St. Valentine Parish, Buffalo, NY.  The former Antoinette Burakowski was born on January 3, 1917, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.   She entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Felician Sisters in Buffalo, NY, on September 8, 1934, and professed perpetual vows on August 12, 1942.  She graduated from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Buffalo, NY, and furthered her education at Mount St. Joseph Teachers College, now known as Medaille College in Buffalo, NY, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and a Master of Science in Education degree.

At the onset of her religious life, Sister Virginelle was missioned to care for a group of girls at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Home for Children, Cheektowaga, NY.  In 1939, she began to teach in Catholic elementary schools primarily in the Diocese of Buffalo.  She taught children on all levels serving as a teacher in this Diocese for 33 years.  At Queen of the Most Holy Rosary School, Buffalo, NY, and Our Lady of Czestochowa School, Cheektowaga, NY, she also served as principal.  In addition, Sister Virginelle taught at Sacred Heart School, Syracuse, NY, for 5 years.  She was a dedicated teacher who challenged her students to do their best and evoked positive responses to learning.

During her early years in religious life, Sister Virginelle served in parish ministry at Precious Blood Parish, Angola, NY, and at St. Joseph in Brantford, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.  She was a Religious Education teacher at St. Bernard Parish, Cheektowaga, NY, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Lakeview, NY and Holy Apostles SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Buffalo, NY.

She began ministering to the sisters at Villa Maria Infirmary in 1992 in food services.  At Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent she was a dining room aide. In 2006. Sister Virginelle lived and ministered at St. Francis Residence Convent.  She was dedicated and enthusiastic in all she did considering no task too menial.  She loved God, her sisters and life itself.

On November 7, 2012, Sister Virginelle became a patient in Blessed Mary Angela Care Center.  She continued to be vibrant in spite of physical weakness.  Recently, she was able to anticipate her 80 ^th Jubilee Celebration in religious life at St. Joseph Cathedral with religious women and men in the Diocese of Buffalo.  She was also honored with other Felician Jubilarians from the area at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent.  She had a positive influence on the sisters, her family and her friends.