January 1, 1941 — September 1, 2025
Sister Mary Blaise, of Buffalo, NY, age 84, a Felician Sister for 64 years, entered eternal life on Tuesday, September 1, 2025, in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, NY.
The former Genowefa (Genevieve) Surlas was born on January 1, 1941, in Skomielna Czarna, Poland, and was a member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish. She was the second youngest of nine children born to Wojciech and Katarzyna (Trybała) Surlas. She entered the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province of the Felician Sisters in Kraków, Poland, on August 16, 1961, and professed perpetual vows on August 21, 1968.
Sister Blaise began her ministry as a Felician Sister in the Diocese of Kraków, Poland, ministering at Felician institutions that served children who were developmentally challenged or in need of day care. An excellent cook, she used her culinary skill preparing meals at the Felician Guest House in Zakopane and later, the provincial house in Kraków. From 1973 to 1981, Sister Blaise served at Our Lady Mediatrix of Graces, the Felician Generalate in Rome, Italy.
She cherished the privilege of preparing meals for Pope John Paul II when he visited the generalate. On occasion, she baked special cakes for the pope. According to a 1978 article in the Catholic Transcript magazine, Sister Blaise had met the Pope in Poland in the late 1950s when he was auxiliary bishop in Kraków. As a young girl, she was chosen by the parish priest to welcome the bishop to their village. About ten years later, Sister Blaise met the now Cardinal Wojtyła in Kraków. The cardinal recognized her immediately and engaged her in friendly conversation.
While in Rome, Sister Blaise learned to prepare Italian, French, and even African inspired meals as she served the many international guests who visited the generalate. Returning to Poland, she ministered to tourists visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Later, in Kraków, Sister Blaise worked in the well-known Samuela’s Kitchen serving as many as 600 students and elderly daily. She not only enjoyed cooking, but also interacting with the students and others who visited Samuela’s Kitchen, one of the earliest Felician missions, established in 1872. Sister Blaise then travelled to Christlehurst, England, where she served elderly Polish immigrants at the Polish Refugee Center.
In 1987, Sister Blaise was invited to the United States of America by the Felician Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province, Buffalo, NY, for one year. This experience led her to seek permanent residence in the United States as a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province, Buffalo, NY. For the next sixteen years, Sister Blaise continued to share her culinary talent ministering in food services at Villa Maria Infirmary, lovingly preparing meals for the sick and infirm sisters. She loved her work and could be heard singing her beloved Polish hymns as she worked in the kitchen. When dietary services at the infirmary were reorganized, Sister Blaise moved to St. Stanislaus Convent, Buffalo, NY, where she served as a parish sacristan, in addition to cooking at the convent and providing other auxiliary services from 2003 to 2016. While at St. Stanislaus Parish, she and SM Josanne Buszek were featured in a YouTube video as they prepared 300 pounds of lazy pierogi for the annual Dyngus Day celebration at the parish.
Simple and humble, Sister Blaise made a profound impact on the parishioners she served so faithfully, as reflected in remarks posted upon her death—”Sister Blaise was a familiar and welcoming presence at St. Stanislaus Church… (she) stood out as an ambassador of the Felician Sisters and of Polish traditions. Her warmth, generosity, and hospitality embodied the very spirit of her order…. Sister Blaise leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, and cultural pride that will be remembered with gratitude by all who had the blessing of crossing her path.”
Completing her ministry at St. Stanislaus Parish, Sister Blaise returned to Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent to serve her sisters at various house duties and devoted herself to a ministry of prayer. Always conscientious in the performance of her duties, Sister Blaise assisted the infirm sisters in any way she was able. She readily helped in transporting sisters confined to wheelchairs to meals or chapel. Many hours were spent in prayer and adoration in the convent chapel. Reflecting on her anniversary of 60 years in religious life, Sister Blaise confirmed her gratitude for God’s abundant blessings throughout her life and for God’s continued blessings, especially that of being gifted with the call to religious life.
An Evening Prayer Service was held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at 5 p.m. in the convent chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the convent chapel. Rev. Cole Webster was presider and homilist. Focusing on Jesus’ words from the cross, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit,” Father Cole spoke of God’s boundless love manifested in the totality of Jesus’ love, even unto death, that we may all experience newness of life. Following Jesus, her Spouse, Sister Blaise put on the wooden Felician crucifix, sacrificing all for love of God and others, serving generously wherever and in any way she was needed.
Sister Mary Blaise was buried in the Blessed Mary Angela Section, St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.
