U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
Sister Mary Elvina Janaczek, CSSF
Sister Mary Elvina Janaczek, 87, died February 10, 2001, in Villa Maria Infirmary, Buffalo.
Sister Mary Elvina was born Jane Janaczek in Buffalo to the late John and Anastasia (Kowalska) Janaczek. She was a graduate of Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy (now Villa Maria Academy), Buffalo. She also attended Mount St. Joseph Teachers College (now Medaille College), Buffalo, where she earned a bachelor's degree, and received a master's degree from Canisius College, Buffalo.
In 1931 Sister Mary Elvina entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters. She professed her vows in 1939.
For 38 years Sister Mary Elvina ministered as a full-time teacher. She taught at several Catholic elementary schools throughout the dioceses of Syracuse, Buffalo, and Erie, Pa. She also served as principal at Queen of Martyrs School, Cheektowaga, and St. Luke School, Buffalo. Sister Mary Elvina also established the Villa Maria College Polish Culture Circle, and worked as a secretary and Polish-language instructor. Later, she assisted as an office aide at several schools and as a home aide. Sister Mary Elvina was also responsible for coordinating the stamp project at St. Francis Residence, Buffalo.
In 1998 Sister Mary Elvina became a patient in Villa Maria Infirmary.
Survivors include two sisters, Pauline Mazikowski of Amherst, and Helen Zurak of Hawaii; a brother, Henry of Hamburg; a nephew, Father Joseph Janaczek; and several other nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in Villa Maria Convent Chapel. Burial was in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga.
Sister Mary of the Angels Kennedy, GNSH
Sister Mary of the Angels Kennedy, 94, died February 3, 2001, in St. Joseph Community, Grey Nuns Motherhouse in Yardley, Pa.
Sister Mary was born in Buffalo in 1906 to the late Thomas and Bridget (McGowan) Kennedy. She was a graduate of Nardin Academy, Buffalo, and worked as a reservation clerk for the New York Central Railroad before joining the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart. She entered the Grey Nuns in 1928 and professed her vows in 1931.
Sister Mary also attended D'Youville College, Buffalo, where she received a bachelor's degree in English, and the Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She ministered in the field of elementary education in Ogdensburg, Buffalo, Eden, Jackson Heights, Flushing, and Paoli, Pa. Locally she taught at Holy Angels School and St. Rose of Lima School, both in Buffalo; and Immaculate Conception School in Eden. She also served as principal of St. Rose of Lima School and in a clerical capacity at Holy Angels Academy, Buffalo. From 1970 to 1972 she served as a member of the administrative council of the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart. She retired to the motherhouse in 1988.
Survivors include several nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in the Sacred Heart Chapel of the Grey Nuns Motherhouse. Burial was in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pa.
Sister Mary Dosithea Bagrowski, CSSF
Sister Mary Dosithea Bagrowski, 96, died February 2, 2001, in Villa Maria Infirmary in Buffalo.
Sister Mary Dosithea was born Hedwig Bagrowski to Stanislaus and Stella (Wrobel) Bagrowski. She was a graduate of Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy (now Villa Maria Academy), Buffalo. She also attended Mt. St. Joseph Teachers College (now Medaille College), Buffalo, where she received a bachelor's degree. In 1924 she entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters and professed her final vows in 1932.
For 43 years she ministered as a full-time Catholic elementary school teacher. She taught for 32 years in the Diocese of Buffalo, 10 years in the Diocese of Syracuse, and one year in the Diocese of Erie, Pa. Sister Mary Dosithea also served as principal at Our Lady of Czestochowa School in North Tonawanda.
While spending eight years at St. Francis Convent she taught religious education at St. Patrick Parish, Barker. She also taught religious education at St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Akron.
In 1980 Sister Mary Dosithea began ministering as an occupational therapy aide in Villa Maria Infirmary, a position she held for 17 years. In 1997 she too became a patient in the infirmary.
Survivors include a niece and a nephew.
A funeral Mass was celebrated in Villa Maria Convent Chapel. Burial was in St. Stanislaus Cemetery in Cheektowaga.
Deacon Donald Shultz Sr
Deacon Donald Shultz Sr., 78, died June 28, 2001, in his Dunkirk home.
Deacon Shultz was born in Batavia, graduated from Batavia High School, and St. Lawrence University, Appelton, Wis. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served on the USS Trident.
Deacon Shultz was ordained by Bishop Edward Head in 1990, and was assigned to Holy Trinity Parish, Dunkirk, St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish, Cheektowaga, and St. Anthony's Parish, Fredonia, where he served until his death.
Before becoming a deacon, Donald Shultz worked at Marine Midland Bank for 40 years, retiring in 1985. He served as a vice president of the city Planning Board, was a member of the board of trustees of the Comprehensive Health Planning Council of Western New York, and was president of the Kiwanis Club.
Deacon Shultz was also president of Notre Dame Home School Association, and past director and chairman of the Genesee County Red Cross, and was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis.
Deacon Shultz is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, of 52 years, three sons, six daughters, 15 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
A vigil service was offered at Holy Trinity Church in Dunkirk. Burial was in the mausoleum of St. Joseph's Cemetery in Batavia.
Sister Mary Assumpta Gentile, FMDC
Sister Mary Assumpta Gentile, FMDC, 89, died June 27, 2001, at St. Mary of the Angels Health Care Center, Williamsville.
Born Mary Gentile in Cherry Creek, Sister Assumpta entered the order in 1929. She professed her first vows in 1931 and her final vows in 1939.
Sister Assumpta taught religious education in the Diocese of Buffalo from 1931 to 1964, at St. Ann's, St. Anthony's, Holy Cross, and Our Lady of Loretto parishes in Buffalo, and the St. Pius Mission Center in Batavia. She also taught at Immaculate Conception Mission Center in Belmont and Our Lady of Fatima Mission center in Cattaraugus.
She served as religious education coordinator at Sacred Heart Parish in Crystal City, Texas, from 1964 to 1970. She returned to Western New York where she taught religious education at Immaculate Conception Mission Center in Belmont until 1997.
Sister Assumpta is survived by a sister, Margaret Carnahan of Buffalo.
A funeral Mass was celebrated June 30, in the chapel of the motherhouse of the order, Williamsville. Burial was at Holy Cross Cemetery, Lackawanna.
Father Dominic Valentino
Father Dominic Valentino, 81, died June 24, 2001, in the Hospice Center, in Phoenix.
Father Valentino was born in 1919, in Chicago, to Gerald and Judith Valentino. He attended Crane High School in Chicago, Sacred Heart Seminary in Melrose Park, Ill., and became a member of the Missionary Congregation of St. Charles.
He pronounced his final vows in 1945 and in 1947 was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Rossi at the Lantern Basilica.
He was assistant pastor of St. Anthony's Parish, Buffalo, where he served for 10 years until being named pastor, and remained for three more years. Father Valentino served as associate pastor at Holy Ghost Parish, Wood Dale, St. Alexis Parish, Bensenville, pastor of St. Andrew's Parish, Romeoville, superintendent of religious education for the Diocese of Joliet, Ill., and pastor of Visitation Parish, Elmhurst, Ill. Father Dominic was awarded many honors including Citizen of the Year in Elmhurst in 1980. In 1992, on the 45th anniversary of his ordination, the mayor of Elmhurst declared “Father Valentino Week” in the city. He also built a recreation center at Visitation Parish that bears his name.
Upon his retirement in 1995, he moved to Scotsdale, Ariz.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at Visitation Church, Elmhurst and burial was at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Hillside, Ill.
Sister Mary Frances Vonderhaar, SSJ
Sister Mary Frances Vonderhaar, SSJ, 79, died June 23, 2001, in the infirmary of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Clarence.
Sister Frances was born in Fort Wayne, Ind., to the late John and Anna Vonderhaar. The former Sister St. Andrew entered the religious order in 1941 and professed her vows in 1943.
Sister Frances taught at St. John's in Alden, St. Boniface, and St. Xavier's, both in Buffalo. She also taught at Our Mother of Good Counsel in Blasdell and the Early Childhood Learning Center in Niagara Falls, and is noted for her popularity with children and for her craft work.
She retired in 1987 to the convent in Clarence, where she served as an administrative aide.
Survivors include brothers Norbert, Richard, and Arthur Vonderhaan, sisters Bernadette Kline and Helen Savage, and survived by nieces and nephews.
A funeral Mass was celebrated at the Sisters of St. Joseph Residence in Clarence and burial was in the Mount St. Joseph section of Forest Lawn.
