Sister M. Anthonille Tyczkowski

SR. MARY ANTHONILLE TYCZKOWSKI CSSF

Earlier this year, I had contacted the St. Hedwig native Felician Sisters who reside in Buffalo, NY; the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province. At eighty-nine years old, Sr. Anthonille is still active as a Pastoral Associate and Parish Catechist at St. Josaphat Church in Cheektowaga., NY. Bóg zapłać, Sr. Anthonille!

These are her words…..

I was born in the family of Boleslaus and Stefania Tyczkowski as the ninth child on September 7, 1928.   Our family numbered nine; five boys: Charles, John, Raymond, Alexander, and Alfred; and four girls: Stella, Helen, Mary, and myself, Regina.
I was nicknamed Ginia by my youngest brother Alfred while growing up, because he couldn’t say Regina.

At the age of seven, I attended St. Hedwig’s School from grade l to grade 8. In the year of 1943 I left home for Buffalo, N.Y. to study and become a Felician Sister. This happened in the year of 1947 when I became a Postulant for one year. In 1948 I became a Novice, and in 1949, as I am now for sixty-nine years, a Professed Felician Sister.

In the 69 years that I am in the convent, I was a teacher from my early years and later became a Superior and Principal for 25 years and at one time only was the Superior and Principal at Holy Trinity School in Erie. I spent most of my years in Buffalo schools, but also in Batavia, Dunkirk, and Attica, New York.

In 1997, I was sent to Rome, Italy as Superior of our General Home. This was a special time in my years, when I was able to be with our Pope, now St. John Paul ll. Thanks be to God for that special gift!

---UPDATE--- Sister Anthonille passed away on April 28, 2022 at the age of 93, after being a Felician nun for 74 years, never officially retiring.

Sister Mary Anthonille Tyczkowski, 93, a Felician Sister for 74 years, died in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Cheektowaga, NY, on Thursday, April 28, 2022.   The former Regina Tyczkowski was born on September 7, 1928, in Erie, PA. She entered the Buffalo Province of the Felician Sisters on July 4, 1947, and professed perpetual vows on August 13, 1955. After graduating from the Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, Buffalo, NY, she furthered her education earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education at Medaille (Mount St. Joseph) College, Buffalo, NY, and a Master of Arts degree from Fairfield University, CT.
Sister Anthonille began her teaching ministry at St. Stanislaus School, Buffalo, NY. She continued teaching at many Catholic elementary parochial schools in the Diocese of Buffalo for over forty years. At most of the schools where Sister Anthonille taught, she also served as principal including St. Mary, Batavia, NY; Resurrection, Cheektowaga, NY; St. Hyacinth, Dunkirk, NY; St. John Kanty and Our Lady of Czestochowa, Buffalo, NY; Genesee-Wyoming Catholic Central, Attica, NY; and Holy Trinity, Erie, PA. Sister found deep satisfaction in her role as an educator. Whenever possible, she engaged in teaching in parish Religious Education Programs. She considered it a special privilege to prepare students for the sacraments.
Sister Anthonille served in several leadership roles in the Felician community at the parish level and served a three-year term at Our Lady Mediatrix of Graces Convent, Rome, Italy. After retiring from teaching, she served as general manager at Villa Angela, a vacation home for the Felician Sisters, in Elma, NY.
Sister Anthonille remained in active ministry at St. Josaphat Parish, Cheektowaga, NY, from 2009 to 2021. An energetic and talented woman, Sister served in many capacities at the parish. She served as pastoral associate, parish secretary, administrative aide, and taught in the parish sacramental program. She frequently expressed her gratitude to God for her vocation to the religious life, her happiness in being a Felician Sister, and the many gifts and graces received. Preparing to celebrate her seventy-fifth anniversary of religious life on June 18, 2022, Sister Anthonille still burned with the desire to “Go forth and set the world on fire.”
Sister Anthonille was predeceased by her parents Boleslaus and Stephania (Poswiatowski) Tyczykowski, her sisters Helen Zebrowski and Mary Zielinski, and her brothers Charles Tyczkowski, and John Tyler, Raymond Tyler, Alexander Tyler, and Alfred Tyler. She is survived by many devoted nieces, nephews, and friends.
A wake for Sister Anthonille will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, 600 Doat Street, on Sunday, May 1, 2022, from 2 to 5 PM.   An Evening Prayer Service will take place in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent chapel (Villa Maria) immediately following the viewing.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 2, 2022, at 10:00 AM in the convent chapel.
***Obituary courtesy of Pietszak Funeral Home, Cheektowaga NY

On a personal note:
From the time I wrote to Sr. Anthonille in 2015 about sharing her memories for my St. Hedwig of Erie PA website, she had been nothing but supportive and grateful of me for reaching out to her. It is me that is grateful. We always sent cards and prayers to each other. We talked on the phone after her niece and my friend Dolores died. This Easter, Sister sent me a card and invited me to visit her at the Motherhouse soon. I am heartbroken, because I was so looking forward to it. I had never had the chance to meet her in person.
What a life of service! Sr. Anthonille only just retired in 2021, and then worked in the Infirmary at the Motherhouse. She stressed to me that she "worked" in the Infirmary and was not in it!
Many years ago, Sr. Anthonille gave her niece Dolores some Rosaries blessed by Pope John Paul ll. Dolores gave my grandmother one for me. I am very blessed to have it.
Spoczywaj w Pokoju. May She Rest in Peace.
---Bobby J. Sulecki---

Sr. Anthonille's Photo Collection