SISTER MIRIAM JOSEPH (LOUISE) NOWICKI, OSF
Sister Miriam Joseph (Louise) Nowicki, embraced sister death on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at the Franciscan Villa in Syracuse, NY. She was 91 years of age and had been a Sister of St. Francis for 68 years. Louise Margaret Nowicki was born one of six children to Stephen and Sophie (Szwejbka) Nowicki in Buffalo, NY and received her Baptism, First Holy Communion and Confirmation at St. Joachim Church in Buffalo.
After graduation from Bishop Colton High School, she taught for four years as a lay teacher at St. Gerard’s School. It was during these years that she felt the call to religious life and in 1953 she entered religious life receiving the name of Sister Miriam Joseph. After entering the community she earned a BS from Rosary Hill College and an MS from Buffalo State College.
Sister Miriam Joseph ministered in the field of education from 1953 to 2004 as a teacher, substitute teacher, and librarian in various Catholic Schools throughout western New York including schools in: Amherst, Bowmansville, Buffalo, East Eden, Williamsville, Tonawanda, Hamburg, West Seneca, Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Eggertsville, and Depew.
In addition to education, Sister served as organist at a number of parishes where she was teaching. She also served as the Secretary of the Buffalo Branch of the Family Rosary for Peace; Spiritual Director for the Legionaries of Mystical Rose Praesidium, St. Benedict Parish; Coordinator of Perpetual Adoration at St. Mary of the Angels and volunteered at WLOF-FM Catholic Radio Station, Amherst, NY. Sister Miriam Joseph was a Prayer Minister at Fredonia Place in Williamsville, NY and lastly at Franciscan Villa in Syracuse, NY.
Sister was proud of her Polish heritage and loved the religious habit. She always enjoyed telling stories and could make you laugh. Sister Miriam Joseph’s life and ministry spoke of her love of the Eucharist. For years Sister advocated and participated in daily Eucharist and in hours of Perpetual Adoration. May she now be embraced by Eternal Life itself as she sees her God face to face.
Sister was predeceased by her parents, her sister Regina (Joseph) Schuder, and two brothers Joseph (Clara) Nowicki and Frank (Kay) Nowicki. She is survived by the Sisters of St. Francis, and several nieces and nephews.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Franciscan Villa, 6900 Buckley Road, Syracuse and will be available for viewing on the funeral home’s Facebook page, Carter Funeral Home Syracuse, or on Sister Miriam’s memorial page following her services. Further arrangements in Buffalo will be announced at a later date. Burial will then follow in Gethsemane Cemetery, Williamsville, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities, Congregational Development Office, 225 Greenfield Pkwy. Suite 208, Liverpool, NY 13088