Sister Mary Virginita Tarnacki, CSSF 1936-2024

Sister Mary Virginita Tarnacki, 87, a Felician Sister for 70 years, died in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, on April 24, 2024. 

The former Dorothy Tarnacki was born on June 2, 1936, in Syracuse. She entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Felician Sisters in Buffalo on July 16, 1953, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 3, 1961. She graduated from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy in Buffalo and furthered her education at Rosary Hill College (now Daemen) in Amherst, where she earned a bachelor of science degree.

Sister Virginita began her ministry at St. Barbara School in Lackawanna. She taught at the elementary level for almost 25 years in various schools in the Dioceses of Buffalo and Syracuse, and was involved in religious education programs in the Diocese of Ogdensburg. 

A gentle and sensitive person, Sister Virginita was a loving and excellent teacher who fostered cooperation and mutual respect among her students. Her deep appreciation and concern for every student, good judgment, and understanding led her to serve as principal in various schools, including St. Valentine, Buffalo; St. Stanislaus, Binghamton; and Our Lady of Czestochowa, Cheektowaga, for a total of 16 years. Always eager to serve, Sister Virginita encouraged her students to be active in the community and led by example, participating alongside them. Her dedication, service and contributions to Catholic education were recognized with the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award for Meritorious Service presented by the Department of Catholic Education, Buffalo, in 2001.

After 47 years of fruitful ministry in the field of education, Sister Virginita returned to the Syracuse area in 2004, to continue a life of service assisting the sisters with whom she lived. In 2008, Sister joined the community at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent in Buffalo. A devoted “handmaid of the Lord,” Sister Virginita first served as a receptionist for St. Francis Residence and then continued to serve the sisters at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent even as her own health declined.  

Reflecting on her life as she celebrated 60 years of religious life, Sister Virginita wrote, “The greatest gift I received is perseverance in my personal journey in religious life. Daily prayers have helped me serve the Lord one day at a time.” Her devotion to the Blessed Virgin and rich prayer life remained her comfort and strength each day until she joyfully entered her eternal reward.

Sister Virginita is survived by her sisters, Mary Ann Tarnacki Cross, Sue Jennis, Alma Horton Smolik. She was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Gladys Siwik Horton, and her brother, Charles Tarnacki.A funeral Mass was held Saturday, April 27, in the Convent Chapel. Burial took place in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga.