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WACLAWCZYK, MARY ESTELLE SISTER May 20, 1929 - February 3, 2014 During a rare and beautiful snowfall, Sister Mary Estelle Waclawczyk passes away on Monday, February 3, 2014, at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent in Rio Rancho, NM. She was born on May 20, 1929, to William (Willy) and Mary Lee (Dzuik) Waclawczyk of Cestohowa, TX, and was named Edna at Baptism. Edna received her grade school education through the Felician Sisters and by the time she made her First Holy Communion, she had made her decision to become one of them. On July 2, 1943, she traveled to Chicago, IL to begin the first step of this choice as a High School Student at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School. Upon her graduation in 1947, she entered the Felician Order in Chicago. In 1949 she began her 51 year classroom teaching ministry with a combination of second and third graders. For the next consecutive 21 years she taught either two or three grades at a time. Sister's education ministry sites included Chicago, IL; St. Hedwig, Cestohowa, Panna Maria, Bremond and San Antonio, TX; Aston and Exeter, NE; and Arcadia and Claremont, CA. To this day, her former students, as well as parents, remember their "best teacher" with visits or some other form of communication. Sister did not stop after 51 years in the classroom but when she was transferred to Rio Rancho, she quickly channeled her education skills to tutoring at St. Felix Pantry. Sister Estelle was also an accomplished seamstress and baker. She is well known for her many and varied crochet projects. In addition to her teaching, she also served as sacristan in most of her teaching locations as well as during her years in Rio Rancho. In all things, Sister Estelle was a perfectionist and all her gifts and skills were used to the best of her ability to make life easier and more pleasant for others. Sister had a special gift for growing violets and every year she would start as many plants as she had students so that every child she taught could present their mother with a potted blooming plant on Mother's Day. One of her most cherished experiences was to visit Poland and to kneel on the same kneeler which Bl. Angela had used for adoration. In addition to her strong devotion to Bl. Angela, Sister was a person of prayer who was mindful of the suffering and the needs of others as she prayer for the needs of the world. Sister Estelle was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother, Frank, and her sisters Magdalene Urbanczyk and Emma Opiela. She is survived by her sister Susie Skloss and brother Otto Waclawczyk and wife Gladys and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews. Rosary and Wake Services for Sister Estelle will be held at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent Chapel at 4210 Meadowlark Lane SE in Rio Rancho, NM, at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, February 5, 2014. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the same location on Thursday, February 6, 2014, at 9:00 AM. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Albuquerque, NM. To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124 505-892-9920
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