Sister Mary Alisette Skotnicki, CSSF 1931-2024

Sister Mary Alisette Skotnicki, 92, a Felician Sister for 75 years, died in Buffalo General Hospital on Sept. 8, 2024.  

The former Eugenia Skotnicki was born on Oct. 11, 1931, in Buffalo to Helen (Kordasiewicz) and Stanley Skotnicki, she grew up as a member of St. Florian Parish. After graduating from Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Buffalo, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Medaille (Mount St. Joseph) College, Buffalo, a master of science in Education from State University of New York at Potsdam, and a master of pastoral studies from Loyola University of Chicago.

She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on July 16, 1949, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 13, 1957.

Sister Mary Alisette began her ministry as a Felician Sister in 1951 as a kindergarten teacher at St. Stanislaus Kostka School in Niagara Falls. She served the Diocese of Buffalo for 19 years, first as a teacher in area elementary schools at various levels and then as principal at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament School in Depew, and Fredonia Catholic School. In the Diocese of Ogdensburg, Sister Alisette taught grade six for four years at St. Peter School, Lowville, and served as a principal at St. Mary School, Canton, for three years. She also served as principal in the Diocese of Syracuse at Sacred Heart School, Syracuse for four years.

Sister Alisette, herself a life-long learner, was a gifted educator and wise administrator. She took advantage of every opportunity to extend her knowledge, including additional courses at SUNY at Plattsburg, and leadership courses at St. Joseph College, West Hartford, Connecticut.  All her studies found their way into her teaching methods and her professionalism as a principal. Her open and friendly manner added to her effectiveness in all her ministries.

Always deeply involved in all aspects of Felician community life, Sister Alisette was engaged in leadership roles from 1980 to 1989 serving first as a provincial councilor and secretary and then as provincial vicar of the former Immaculate Heart of Mary Province. During these years she also ministered as director of formation.

Leaving the field of education in 1990, Sister Alisette’s deep love of God and enthusiastic commitment to the Church led to parish ministry. She served as a pastoral associate at St. Michael Parish in Lackawanna, and then at St. George Parish in West Falls. She also ministered at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Kenmore in the Parish Outreach Program.

After 19 years of fruitful parish ministry, Sister Alisette “reinvented” herself once again, as she shared her compassionate love and vibrant spirit with the sisters receiving health services at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent.  She was part of the pastoral care team and later, also served as activity director. Her total availability to the sisters in her care genuinely reflected the charism and heart of Blessed Mary Angela.

Sister Alisette was the loving sister of the late Stanley Skotnicki and Theresa Dybas.

A funeral Mass was held Sept. 11, at the Felcian sisters convent chapel.