Sister Mary Patricia Tomasik, CSSF, 1938-2019

Thu, Jun 20th 2019 10:00 am

Sister Mary Patricia Tomasik, 81, a Felician Sister for 63 years, died in Blessed Mary Angela Care Center, Buffalo, June 11, 2019. The former Josephine Tomasik was born on March 6, 1938 in Buffalo. She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on July 7, 1955, and professed perpetual vows on Aug. 16, 1965. After graduating from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy in Buffalo, she furthered her education at Medaille College in Buffalo, where she earned a bachelor's degree in education. She also held a master's in education from the Buffalo State College and a master's from Canisius College, also in Buffalo.

Sister Patricia began her ministry as a teacher at Guardian Angel Day Care Center in Buffalo. She taught at several Catholic Elementary Schools in the Diocese of Buffalo for six years. At Cantalician Center for Learning, she was a special education teacher for two years.

In 1968, she began her ministry in Canada as a primary grade teacher and music teacher in elementary schools St. Catharines, Ontario. From 1977 to 1983, Sister Patricia served on the leadership team at Holy Name of Mary Vice-Province in Mississauga, Ontario. During her term of office, she was the secretary and formation coordinator. 

After 15 years in Canada she returned to Buffalo and became the supervisor at Cantalician North Campus, where she worked with the disabled. She held various positions at Cantalician Center including, supervisor of the School Age Program, program director, and assistant director. In 1990, she became the executive director, a position she held for 17 years.

In 2011, Sister Patricia joined the sisters at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent where she mainly served as a chauffeur and receptionist. Two years later, she became a member of the Blessed Mary Angela Convent where she continued chauffeuring the elderly and sick. On July 1, 2016, Sister Patricia began serving as the local minister at this convent. She resigned a year later due to illness.

Sister Patricia is survived by her brothers, Felix and Paul Tomasik. She was predeceased by her parents, Stanley and Florence (Dembska) Tomasik, her brothers, Stanley Jr. and Ray Tomasik, and her sister, Mary Ann Borowski.  
A funeral Mass was held June 14, in the Convent Chapel. Burial followed in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga.

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