Sister Paula Marie Skalski, 84, a Felician Sister for 66 years, died in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo on Oct. 26, 2024.
The former Gertrude Skalski was born on Oct. 1, 1940, in Buffalo, and was a member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish. She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on June 22, 1958, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1966. After graduating from Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy in Buffalo, she earned a bachelor of science degree in Education from Mount St. Joseph (now Medaille) College and a master of arts degree from St. Joseph College, West Hartford, Connecticut.
Sister Paula Marie began her ministry as a Felician Sister in 1961 at St. Josaphat School in Cheektowaga where she taught first grade. An excellent primary grade teacher, she served in the Diocese of Buffalo as an educator for 20 years and in the Diocese of Ogdensburg for two years. Her passion for teaching younger children and the desire to build strong readers, led her to Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, where she added the title of reading specialist to her teaching credentials. While teaching in the pre-kindergarten program at Our Lady of Black Rock School in Buffalo, Sister Paula Marie initiated an extended-day program to accommodate the needs of the students and their parents. The program offered important foundational skills for its young students.
Sister Paula Marie also had a missionary heart, eager to share in the Congregation’s mission to “cooperate with Christ in the spiritual renewal of the world.” From 1970-75, she ministered at Mary Immaculate School, Sao Paulo, Brazil, as a primary grade teacher and instructor of English to students of multilingual backgrounds. Upon her return to the United States, she taught for one year at Villa Maria Learning Center and was involved in parish ministry at Holy Cross Parish, both in Buffalo. Once again, called to serve in Brazil, Sister Paula returned to Sao Paulo to work in parish ministry at Our Lady Help of Christians Church from 1979-84. Then, Sister Paula was involved in parish ministry at Holy Cross, St. John Kanty and St. Valentine parishes in Buffalo, and Holy Spirit Parish, North Collins.
Ready to offer compassionate service wherever she was needed, Sister Paula ministered in many ways to the sisters at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent in Buffalo. She was part of the pastoral care team, a chauffeur and receptionist, but above all else, in the spirit of Blessed Mary Angela, she sought to be “Eucharist … Sister … and Servant” to her sisters and all those she encountered. Even as her own health began to diminish, Sister Paula remained present to her sisters. When she celebrated her Golden Jubilee of religious life, Sister Paula Marie gratefully acknowledged “the goodness and blessings that have been realized in my life as a member of the Felician Congregation.”
Sister Paula Marie is survived by her sisters Constance Waible, Barbara O’Keefe, Phyllis Sterin; her brothers George, Dr. James, and Michael Skalski. She was predeceased by her parents Stephen and Cornelia (Brodnick) Skalski and her brother Stephen Skalski.
A wake for Sister Paula Marie will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 3 to 5 p.m. followed by an evening prayer service at 5 p.m. in the Convent Chapel.