Sister Mary Marvina Kupiszewski, FSSJ 1927-2025

Sister Mary Marvina Kupiszewski died peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, at St. Francis Park in the 97th year of life and the 78th year of religious life.

Sister Marvina was born on July 25, 1927, in Auburn, to Anthony and Rosalie (Borowiec) Kupiszewski. On Aug. 15, 1945, she became a postulant and on July 15, 1950, Sister Marvina professed her final vows.

Sister Marvina received her master’s degree in Art at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana. For 70-plus years, Sister Marvina actively served God’s people as a teacher, historian and artist. Her teaching years spanned all levels of education from grade school to the college level. She taught at St. Columba, Buffalo; St. Francis of Assisi, Athol Springs; St. Josaphat, Milwaukee; Immaculata Academy, Hamburg; and Hilbert College, also in Hamburg. 

When her teaching career ended, Sister Marvina spent many years serving in internal ministries including as the archivist of the community. In that ministry, she served as curator of the Heritage Room and the Polish Heritage Room in addition to her regular archival duties.

During her entire career, Sister Marvina also created many wonderful works of art which have been displayed in the convent. Among her works is a set of five icons that she created over several years while studying under various master iconographers. She was also an accomplished woodworker, handicrafter and seamstress, talents she shared with her sisters and many others in the local community, including her fellow members of the WNY Woodworkers’ Guild. Even after joining the community’s health care center, Sister Marvina continued to take sewing lessons and work on a variety of “projects.”

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 3-6:30 p.m. at St. Francis Park, Hamburg, where a memorial prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. A funeral Mass will be offered in the chapel on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga.