Sister Maura Fortkort, who spent nearly 50 years as teacher and administrator, died June 21, 2025, at Mount St. Mary Hospital, Lewiston. She was 93. The former Maryann Fortkort was born May 17, 1932, in Buffalo to Albert and Mary (O’Donnell) Fortkort. After graduating from the Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, Sister Maura entered […]
Sister Therese Kinsel, OSF, whose ministry included schools, retreats, pastoral and secretarial work, died May 1, 2025 at the age of 88 at the Stella Niagara Health Center. Born May 9, 1936 in New Lexington, Ohio as Janet Kinsel, Sister Therese entered the Sisters of St. Francis on October 31, 1954 and was professed July […]
Teacher and tutor Sister M. Alice Metzger, OSF, died on March 7, 2025, at Stella Niagara Health Center at the age of 94. Born Elaine Metzger in Columbus, Ohio, on April 11, 1930, she is the daughter of John and Alice (Boley) Metzger. She entered the Sisters of St. Francis order on Sept. 1, 1948, […]
Sister M. Phyllis Fuest, OSF, died Dec. 23, 2024, at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. She was 96 years old. The former Rita Fuest was born to Lawrence and Marian Moll Fuest on May 28, 1928, in Buffalo. She attended St. Ann School of Business in Buffalo, and Rosary Hill College (now Daemen University) in Amherst, graduating […]
Sister Lucina Stang, OSF, who had a ministry of education for 60 years, died Nov. 20, 2024. She was 93. Born May 12, 1931, in Buffalo to Anthony and Lucia (Willi) Stang, the former Lillian Stang attended the Seminary of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Stella Niagara. She earned a bachelor’s degree from […]
Sister Karen Allen, OSF, who led a ministry of education and retreat work that spanned nearly 70 years, died Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at Stella Niagara Health Center. She was 97. The former Joan Allen was born to Francis and Florence (Schaub) Allen, on Feb. 28, 1927, in Buffalo. She attended Buffalo Academy of the […]
Sister Francis Clare Perry, OSF, a teacher and educator even after retirement, passed away June 11, 2024, at the Stella Niagara Health Center. She was 94. Born March 11, 1930, to Edward and Anna (McMahon) Perry, the Buffalo native graduated from Blessed Sacrament School, Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, and Rosary Hill College in […]
Sister Gertrude Lacki, teacher, spiritual coordinator and pastoral minister, passed away on May 28, 2024, at Kenmore Mercy Hospital. She was 77. Born Nov. 16, 1946, in Buffalo, the daughter of Thaddeus and Helen Chojnacki Lacki attended St. Joachim School in Buffalo, Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart, and Rosary Hill College in Amherst. She […]
It was a gray drizzly morning, just before Earth Day, when I visited the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity beside the Stella Niagara Preserve in Lewiston. As I entered the property, I noticed statues of St. Francis of Assisi dispersed throughout and heard continual and delightful birdsong. The clouds never lifted […]
STELLA NIAGARA — Monday, Aug. 7, is the deadline to sign up for the Aug. 21 “VACATIONS TO ENJOY: Discovering God’s Love of Life,” another one of the ongoing seasonal Evening of Prayer Series mini-retreats (5-8 p.m.) offered at the Center of Renewal Retreat & Conference Center at Stella Niagara. Explore the spiritual benefits of […]
