September 23, 1943 — March 21, 2026
Sister Mary Gloria, of Buffalo, NY, age 82, a Felician Sister for 63 years, entered eternal life on March 21, 2026, while residing at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, NY.
The former Joan Marie Lewandowski was born on September 23, 1943, in Buffalo, NY, and was a member of Queen of Peace 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 Villa Maria Academy, Buffalo, NY, in 1961, and went on to earn an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Villa Maria College, Buffalo, NY, a Bachelor of Science Degree from Medaille College, Buffalo, NY, a Master of Science Degree from Canisius College, Buffalo, NY, and a Master of Science Degree in Education from Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Sister Mary Gloria began her ministry as a Felician Sister in 1964, teaching in the primary grades at St. Josaphat School, Buffalo, NY. Distinguishing herself as an excellent teacher of young children and developmental reading, she taught in other elementary schools in the Diocese of Buffalo, including Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, St. Luke, and St. Hyacinth. She also taught Business Studies at Sacred Heart High School, Syracuse, NY, from 1970 to 1972.
Pursuing her keen interest in early childhood education, she became a certified American Montessori Teacher while attending Xavier University in Ohio. Returning to Buffalo, she founded and served as director of the Villa Maria Montessori School, sponsored by the Felician Sisters, from 1976 to 1983, and then became director of the Montessori Program at the Cantalician Center for Learning from 1983 to 1996.
Drawing on her strong administrative skills, Sister Gloria continued to minister at the Cantalician Center for Learning as Director of Pupil Personnel (1987 to 1996), Director of Community Services (1996 to 2008), and briefly as Co-Executive Director. She then went on to minister at Villa Maria College as an administrative assistant in the financial aid and registrar’s offices.
Retiring from active ministry in 2023, Sister Gloria participated in community life at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, providing input to in-house committees and engaging in prayer ministry. She had a generous heart and a special love for the vulnerable, often reaching out and going that extra mile. Her ministries led her to work with the very young, high school and college students and adults with special needs. She met each ministry with complete dedication, trusting in God’s love and guiding presence even when she was “surprised” at times by where God was leading her. In the spirit of Blessed Mary Angela, she unreservedly served “those most in need.”
An Evening Prayer Service was held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the convent chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in the convent chapel. Rev. Richard Jedrzejewski was presider and homilist. In his homily, referring to Matthew’s account of the last judgment, Father Richard underscored faith, expressed in compassionate service, as the way of inheriting the kingdom. Responding to God’s grace in faith and using her gifts and talents to minister to the smallest, poorest, simplest, the “least” of God’s people, Sister Gloria spent her life as a “kingdom builder.” Now, Jesus lovingly calls to her, “Come, you have my Father’s blessing! Inherit the kingdom prepared for you . . . ”
Sister Gloria was buried in the Blessed Mary Angela Section, St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.
