My aunt, †Sr. Mary Teresina Lechanski, was born in Poland and came with her mom, dad and sister Rose through Ellis Island in 1905. Raised in Buffalo, NY she joined the Felician community when she was in high school. After her vows, she was a grade school teacher and then a nurse because of the needs of the community. She worked in Buffalo, Oklahoma and Brazil, where she opened a school of nursing. Following Vatican II, she was called to the motherhouse in Rome where she cared for the medical needs of Polish bishops. In her later years she worked in Michigan at Orchard Lake College. She retired in Buffalo and died at the age of 83! She lived a life of deep faith, service and trust in the Lord.
I was always in awe of her—she seemed so serene and trusting in the Lord and the Blessed Mother. I have a beautiful picture of her and a rosary from Rome that she sent to me. Such a beautiful woman of faith for us to admire and love!
-Gloria
