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Sister Mary Gemmita Healey, OSF
Sister Mary Gemmita Healey, died December 29, 2000, in Olean General Hospital.
In 1914, Sister Mary Gemmita was born Madeline Healey to the late Peter and Alice (Boyle) Healey in Lowell, Mass. She entered the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany at St. Elizabeth Motherhouse in 1934 and professed her final vows in 1941.
Sister Mary Gemmita taught primary and middle grades for 35 years in schools throughout Buffalo, Allegany, Olean, and Rochester. In 1970 she began ministering as a nurse's aide at the motherhouse and volunteered at St. Francis Hospital. She retired in 1983 to Mary's Hall and later the motherhouse infirmary.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in the chapel of the St. Elizabeth Motherhouse. Interment followed in St. Bonaventure Cemetery in Allegany.
Sister Ruth Spaulding, GNSH
Sister Ruth Spaulding (formerly Sister Mary Carmel), died December 26, 2000, at the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart Motherhouse in Yardley, Pa.
Sister Ruth was born in Buffalo in 1929 to the late Burdell and Hilda (Schwam) Spaulding. She was a graduate of St. Rose of Lima School and Holy Angels Academy, both in Buffalo. She also earned a bachelor's degree from D'Youville College, Buffalo. In 1947 she entered the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart. She made her final profession in 1953.
Sister Ruth ministered in education in Jackson Heights, Ogdensburg, Corona, Buffalo, Depew, and Westbury. She also served in Arkansas, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Locally she taught at St. Rose of Lima School where she also served as assistant principal, and at St. James School in Depew.
Survivors include a sister, Mary Jeanne Aiple; a sister-in-law, Helen; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at the Sacred Heart Chapel at the Grey Nuns Motherhouse. Burial followed in the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham, Pa.
Sister Mary Cantia Wegrzyn, CSSF
Sister Mary Cantia Wegrzyn, former teacher and administrator, died December 24, 2000, in St. Francis Residence, Buffalo.
Sister Mary Cantia was born Agnes Wegrzyn to the late Paul and Marion (Uczen) Wegrzyn. She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters in 1934 and professed her final vows in 1942. She was a graduate of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy (now Villa Maria Academy), Buffalo, and earned a bachelor's degree from Mount St. Joseph Teachers College (now Medaille), Buffalo.
For 30 years, Sister Mary Cantia served as a full-time teacher in several schools throughout the Diocese of Buffalo. She also served as principal of Holy Spirit School in North Collins and Resurrection School in Cheektowaga. She also served in the Diocese of Syracuse. Besides teaching, Sister Mary Cantia ministered at the Provincial house of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province and served as local minister and director of auxiliary enterprises at Villa Maria convent, and as sacristan at St. Joseph Cathedral, Buffalo.
In 1993, Sister Mary Cantia moved to Villa Angela Convent in Elma where she assisted with general services. She became a member of St. Francis Residence in 1997 and served as a part-time receptionist and in occupational therapy at Villa Maria Infirmary.
Survivors include a sister, Catherine Panek, one niece, and one nephew.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in Villa Maria Convent Chapel. Burial followed in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Cheektowaga.
Sister John Louise Wall, OP
Sister John Louise Wall, 76, died December 22, 2000, in the Sansbury Care Center in St. Catherine, Ky.
Sister John Louise was born Mary Louise Wall in Syracuse. She moved to Buffalo where she graduated from Holy Angels Academy in 1942. After graduation she joined the Coast Guard and served for four years during World War II. Later, she attended the University of Buffalo and earned a degree in physical education. She taught physical education in the Buffalo public schools and the Springville school district.
In 1958 Sister John Louise entered the religious order of the Dominican Sisters. She received a degree in physical therapy in 1965 and worked as a therapist at the Sansbury Care Center until her health began to fail 10 years ago.
Survivors include a sister, Jeanne A. Menge of East Aurora, and two brothers, John G. Wall of Atlanta, Ga., and Thomas J. Wall of the Town of Tonawanda.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in St. Catherine along with her burial.
Father John P. Hennessey
Father John P. Hennessey, 78, died January 18, 2001, in Mount St. Mary Hospital, Lewiston.
Father Hennessey was born in Niagara Falls, in 1922, to the late John P. and Honora (Lysaght) Hennessey. After graduating from Sacred Heart School, Niagara Falls, he attended the Diocesan Prepratory Seminary, Buffalo; St. Bonaventure University; Pennsylvannia State University; and Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure. While at St. Bonaventure he received a master's degree in ancient languages.
In 1947 Father Hennessey was ordained by Bishop John F. O'Hara at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo. His assignments included missionary apostolate; chaplain, United States Air Force; assistant pastor, St. Monica Parish, St. Brigid, Holy Spirit, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and St. Rose of Lima parishes, all in Buffalo; and pastor, St. Mary Parish, Bolivar. He retired in 1979.
Father Hennessey was a member of the Kenyon Andrus Post 722, the American Legion in Bolivar, and a past district chaplain for the American Legion.
Survivors include a brother Robert J. Hennessey of Niagara Falls; three sisters, Anne Walsh of Youngstown, Rita Kralik of Ohio, and Mary Louise Hennessey of Buffalo; and several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.
A funeral Mass was celebrated by Bishop Henry Mansell at Sacred Heart Church in Niagara Falls.
Sister Mary Francetta Okwiara, CSSF
Sister Mary Francetta Okwiara, 80, died January 18, 2001, in Villa Maria Infirmary, Buffalo.
Sister Mary Francetta was born Lucy Okwiara to the late Vincent and Bernice (Zurek) Okwiara, in Buffalo. She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters in 1940 and professed her final vows in 1948. A graduate of Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy (now Villa Maria), Buffalo, she went on to receive a bachelor's degree from Canisius College, Buffalo, and a master's degree from St. Bonaventure University.
For 24 years she ministered as an elementary school teacher in several schools throughout the Diocese of Buffalo. She taught at Bishop Colton High School, Buffalo, and served both as teacher and principal at St. John De LaSalle School, Niagara Falls, and St. James School in Depew. She also taught in the Diocese of Syracuse; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Rio de Janeiro.
In 1992 Sister Mary Francetta became a patient in Villa Maria Infirmary.
Survivors include a sister, Jean Lazik, and a niece.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in Villa Maria Convent Chapel, Buffalo. Burial followed in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga.
Deacon Francesco G. Vega
Deacon Francesco G. Vega, 84, died January 17, 2001, in Brooks Memorial Hospital, Dunkirk.
Deacon Vega was born in Patillas, Puerto Rico, in 1916. He was ordained in Buffalo in 1978 and assigned to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Dunkirk. He served there in the Spanish Apostolate and also worked as a track maintenance supervisor for the Norfolk and Western Railroad in Dunkirk. He retired as a deacon in 1987.
Deacon Vega was a member of the Holy Name Society of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish and the Knights of Columbus.
Deacon Vega is survived by his wife, Eufemia R.; four daughters, Higinia Lozada, Aida L., and Catherine Vega-Berrios, all of Dunkirk, and Wilda Vega-Singer of Cherry Creek; six sons, Luis, Francisco, and Miguel, all of Dunkirk, Ramon of Maryland, Thomas of Houston, and Reinaldo of Puerto Rico; 41 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Dunkirk. Burial was in Patillas Cemetery, Puerto Rico.
