August 3, 1969 — August 6, 2026
Sister Mary Rachel, of Buffalo, NY, age 82, a Felician Sister for 64 years, entered eternal life on August 6, 2026, while residing at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, NY.
The former Margaret Mikolajczak was born on November 23, 1943, in Buffalo, NY, and was a member of Transfiguration Parish. She entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Felician Sisters in Buffalo, NY, on August 1, 1962, and professed perpetual vows on August 3, 1969.
She graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Buffalo, NY, in 1961, and went on to earn an associate in applied science degree at Villa Maria College of Buffalo, a Bachelor of Science in Education degree at Medaille (Mount St. Joseph) College, Buffalo, NY, and a Master of Arts degree at Cardinal Stritch College, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Sister Mary Rachel began her ministry as a Felician Sister in 1964 as a kindergarten teacher at St. Casimir School, Buffalo, NY, and served the Diocese of Buffalo in area schools for forty-three years. Sister Rachel taught the primary grades at St. John Kanty and St. Stanislaus Schools, Buffalo, NY; Our Lady of Czestochowa, North Tonawanda, NY; and Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Depew, NY, for a total of 13 years. Her zest for life, sense of wonder, and open heart made her an excellent teacher for young students. Former students described Sister Rachel as “a gem in my childhood” and an “amazing,” “incredible” woman.
A lover of children and a firm believer that “all children can learn,” Sister Rachel also served as principal in area schools for a total of 30 years: Our Lady of Czestochowa, North Tonawanda, NY; St. Stanislaus, Buffalo, NY; St. Amelia, Tonawanda, NY; and at St. Hyacinth, Dunkirk, NY. Her philosophy of education, “every child must be given the opportunity to reach his/her potential and to experience the rich traditions of the Catholic Church,” provided a robust framework for the schools, creating an atmosphere of Christian love and mutual respect, and consequently, the perfect learning environment. Her colleagues saw her as a hands-on principal, hard-working and fun-loving.
Sister Rachel ministered as principal at St. Hyacinth School from 1996 until the school’s closing in 2007. Always active in the faith communities where she served, it was only natural for her to remain at St. Hyacinth Parish as pastoral assistant when the school closed. Full of love and zeal for the Church and possessing an energy equal to her enthusiasm, Sister Rachel was deeply involved in parish liturgies, served on various committees, and initiated and organized groups, such as Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Youth Ministry, and weekly Bible Study. Sister also coordinated Faith Formation Program classes for kindergarten to Grade 5.
One of Sister Rachel’s greatest blessings was her personal relationship with Lillian Halasinski. Lillian, who suffered from incurable diabetic neuropathy, was the blessed recipient of an instantaneous cure through the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God, Mother Mary Angela, on January 4, 1984, the miracle that led to the beatification of Mother Angela. Sister Rachel and the late SM Andrew Wiercinski visited Lillian frequently and prayed the rosary together. Sharing the sacred space where Lillian felt Mother Angela’s presence was one of Sister Rachel’s most cherished experiences.
Honoring Sister Rachel as she marked fifty years of religious life, Mayor Richard Frey of Dunkirk referred to Sister Rachel as “God’s gift to Dunkirk.” In her remarks at that time, Sister Rachel acknowledged her deep gratitude to God “for all the gifts he has given me and…for all that he has done through me as his instrument.” Over her 26 years of ministry in Dunkirk, Sister Rachel became part of the lives of her students and parishioners alike, both personally and spiritually.
As her health failed, Sister Rachel left Blessed Mary Angela Parish (former St. Hyacinth Parish) in 2022 to continue her ministry of joyful presence and service among the sisters of her Felician family at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, NY. She quickly won the hearts of everyone with her vibrant personality, sense of humor, and love for life and her religious community. She readily joined in community gatherings and activities whenever possible.
Knowing how much Sister Rachel loved a good party, her dear friend, Father Duane Klizek, and the Felician Sisters invited her family and close friends to a “celebration of life” party for Sister Rachel in July 2026. Father Walter Szczesny, another longtime friend, began the evening meal with the Anointing of the Sick, and all gathered extended their blessing to Sister Rachel. As her health continued to fail, Sister Rachel suffered with courage and surrender to God’s will, never losing her joyful spirit.
An Evening Prayer Service was held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the convent chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday August 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the convent chapel. Father Walter Szczesny was presider and homilist. In his remarks, Father Walter noted a significant sequence in Sister Rachel’s religious life—entering the community on August 1, professing her final vows on August 3, and completing her call to be transformed by Christ and become Eucharist alive, she entered eternal life on August 6, the Feast of the Transfiguration.
Sister Rachel was buried in the Blessed Mary Angela Section, St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.
