January 16, 1940 — February 12, 2026
Sister Marcella Marie, of Buffalo, NY, age 86, a Felician Sister for 63 years, entered eternal life on Saturday, February 12, 2026, in Buffalo Mercy Hospital, Buffalo, NY.
The former Marcella Garus was born on January 16, 1940, in Buffalo, NY, and was a member of St. Casimir 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 Bishop Colton High School, Buffalo, NY, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree from D’Youville College, Buffalo NY, and a Master Degree in Business Administration from the University of Detroit, Michigan.
Sister Marcella Marie began her ministry as a Felician Sister in 1963, teaching Business Studies at Villa Maria Academy, Buffalo, NY. She went on to teach at Bishop Colton High School and then at Bishop Gibbons High School, North Tonawanda, NY. In 1968, she became the business administrator at Villa Maria College of Buffalo, a position she held for ten years. During this time, she established herself as a knowledgeable, commanding yet collaborative leader, well versed in the financial work and functions of the college.
Sister Marcella’s personal qualities and experiences made her the perfect candidate for President of Villa Maria College. In 1978, Sister Marcella Marie was installed as the third president of Villa Maria College of Buffalo. Over the course of the next forty years Sister Marcella Marie, recognized as a “generational visionary” by her colleagues, worked faithfully and diligently to make Villa Maria College not only a premier institution but a “home” to faculty and students alike. Her “work” was to fully realize the vision and mission of the college through her dedicated service and commitment. During her tenure Sister Marcella saw the college increase its enrollment, transition from a two-year commuter college to a baccalaureate granting institution, undergo major interior renovations, and develop an international studies program for exchange students. A firm believer in the transformative power of education, Sister Marcella Marie fully supported the SAY YES BUFFALO program dedicated to providing every student access to a post-secondary certificate or degree. She was also instrumental in the establishment of Collegiate Village Apartments—a housing project for students attending local colleges.
Sister Marcella Marie was a member of many professional organizations including the Professional Business Women’s Association, WNY Consortium for Higher Education, Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities, and the American Association for Higher Education. Her achievements and ability to guide, direct, and lead earned her well deserved recognition, including the New York State 2009 Woman of Distinction Award, Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education, Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities Higher Education Leadership Award, Bishop’s Medal for Catholic Education, Am-Pol Eagle Citizen of the Year, and the Cheektowaga Chamber of Commerce Appreciation Award.
Professional commitments did not prevent Sister Marcella Marie from contributing to the wider community. She was an active member on the boards of various local organizations and institutions, supporting many sponsored events. She was deeply involved in the parishes where she resided, serving as lector, Eucharistic Minister, and religious education coordinator and teacher. Her many talents and gifts were also generously shared within her Felician community as she participated in general and provincial chapters, served as chairperson/ member of various committees, and freely volunteered wherever and whenever needed.
Upon her retirement from the college in June 2018, Sister Marcella entered a new phase of ministry with characteristic “grace, gratitude and joy.” After a period of spiritual and personal renewal, following the counsel of Blessed Mary Angela “to love is to serve,” Sister Marcella served as local minister at Queen of Martyrs Convent and volunteered as chauffeur for the sisters at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, transporting them to medical appointments. After moving to Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent in 2023, Sister Marcella managed the reception desk with warmth and professionalism.
Sister Marcella’s remarkable career was only surpassed by love for her Felician Franciscan vocation and dedication to her Felician community. She saw her vocation, serving God through service to others as a Felician sister, as the “greatest gift” received and a constant source of “blessing, gratitude, fulfillment and happiness.”
An Evening Prayer Service was held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the convent chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the convent chapel. Rev. Richard Jedrzejewski was presider and homilist.
In his remarks, Father Richard noted that Sister Marcella Marie was born in 1940 and served as president of Villa Maria College for forty years. He then applied the rich biblical significance of forty—new growth, new life, transformation—to Sister Marcella’s life, as she cooperated with God’s grace and plan. Wholeheartedly embracing her Felician Franciscan vocation and her leadership role at Villa Maria College, Sister Marcella gifted the lives of countless students of all ages and varied backgrounds with meaning, purpose, and a future of hope.
Sister Marcella Marie was buried in the Blessed Mary Angela Section, St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.
