February 3, 1932 — August 27, 2026
Sister Mary Josanne of Buffalo, NY, age 94, a Felician Sister for 75 years, entered eternal life on August 27, 2026, while residing at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, NY.
The former Eleonore Buszek was born on February 3, 1932 in Erie, PA, and was a member of St. Hedwig Parish. She entered the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Felician Sisters in Buffalo, NY, on August 14, 1951, and professed perpetual vows on August 14, 1958. Her vocation was nurtured by the example of two cousins, Sister Mary Martina Baniszewski and Sister Mary Alphonsine Baniszewski, who were already Felician Sisters when Sister Josanne entered the community.
She graduated from Villa Maria Academy, Buffalo, NY, in 1950, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Daemen College (Rosary Hill), Buffalo, NY, and a Master of Social Work degree from State University of New York at Buffalo.
Sister Josanne began her ministry as a Felician Sister at Guardian Angel Day Care Center, Buffalo, NY, 1952-54. For the next ten years, she served the Diocese of Buffalo as a primary grade teacher in area elementary schools including Sacred Heart School, Bennington Center, NY, where she taught for four years.
A tragic fall in 1959 left Sister Josanne partially disabled for almost 20 years. Rather than allowing this setback to define her, Sister Josanne transformed her suffering into a source of compassion and service for others. A certified childcare worker, Sister Josanne ministered at Immaculate Heart of Mary Children’s Home, Cheektowaga, NY, from 1964-1979. During that time, she filled multiple roles with her characteristic enthusiasm, energy, and dedication while completing her master’s degree in social work. Sister Josanne served as a group home supervisor, case worker, independent living program director, and guidance counselor.
Sister Josanne became a member of the Victorious Missionaries in the 1970s, an organization devoted to providing spiritual support to those with disabilities or chronic illnesses. As one of the pioneers of the Buffalo Chapter, she played an active role in its growth, participating in meetings, planning recreational activities and fundraising events. In recognition of her years of dedicated service, Sister Josanne received the 2017 Fr. John Maronic, OMI, Award for “Distinguished Service in Ministry with people with disabilities and those who share the journey.”
In 1980, Sister Josanne was appointed coordinator of the Office of Ministry with Handicapped Persons by Msgr. John J. Conniff, diocesan director of Catholic Charities. Her professional expertise, coupled with her personal experience of living with a disability, made Sister Josanne uniquely qualified for the ministry. She served the Diocese of Buffalo in this role for five years while contributing her insight and advocacy to related committees in the City of Buffalo and Erie County.
A talented cook and certified food service manager, Sister Josanne served as director of food services for the sisters at Villa Maria Infirmary from 1986-2002. Many hours of loving and joyous service filled these 16 years as Sister Josanne and her staff prepared well-planned nutritious meals and desserts for the sisters. When the food service program at the convent was restructured, she continued ministering to the sisters by performing other necessary internal services.
In 2006, following the directive of Blessed Mary Angela Truszkowska, foundress of the Felician Sisters, to “serve where you are needed,” Sister Josanne accepted the invitation of Bishop Edward Grosz, pastor at St. Stanislaus Parish, Buffalo, NY, to visit parishioners who were homebound or in healthcare facilities. This ministry to the sick was particularly rewarding for Sister Josanne since it was one of the original works of mercy undertaken by Blessed Mary Angela. Sister Josanne and her dear friend, the late Sister Mary Blaise Surlas, quickly became two of the best loved “family members” of East Buffalo Polonia. They were visible and active in many parish and civic celebrations, always proud to share their Polish heritage. The sisters were featured in several YouTube presentations making their well-known “lazy pierogi,” or discussing Polish customs like the Dyngus Day pussy willows they grew in the convent garden.
After ten years of dedicated ministry at St. Stanislaus Parish, Sister Josanne returned to Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent where she contributed to the daily operations of the convent and devoted more time to prayer. Wherever she went or served in the convent, there was always lively chatter, storytelling, laughter, and time for a beloved song. Live entertainment always brought out her party spirit, especially Polish polka music.
Even as her health declined, Sister Josanne could be found in the chapel in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament or praying the rosary. Drawing strength from her deep relationship with her Spouse and Lord and her sisters in community, she remained cheerful and engaging with everyone. Celebrating her sixtieth anniversary of religious life, Sister Josanne expressed her profound gratitude to God for her parents, vocation, for the opportunities to serve in various apostolates, and especially for the time to pray. Her whole life—from being the fun-loving youngest of 16 children in her family, to being the oldest Buffalo Felician at the time of her death—prepared Sister Josanne for the peaceful and glorious meeting of her beloved Lord in heaven, no doubt accompanied by Sister Blaise.
An Evening Prayer Service was held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the convent chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the convent chapel. Rev. Paul Nogaro was presider and homilist. Father Paul, who ministered to the sisters at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent for many years, witnessed firsthand the inspiration and example Sister Josanne had been throughout her life. She was a woman fully dedicated to the love and service of God and others “pouring herself out like a libation.” Father Paul noted that although Sister Josanne lived as a woman religious for 75 years, it would have taken 150 years for most people to accomplish all she had achieved in her lifetime. By cooperating with the grace of God, Sister Josanne became a seed that fell to the ground and bore abundant fruit, leaving a legacy in the lives of the countless people she touched.
Sister Josanne was buried in the Blessed Mary Angela Section, St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.
