Sister Mary Blaise, 84, a Felician Sister for 64 years, died in Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Buffalo, NY, on September 1, 2025. The former Genowefa (Genevieve) Surlas was born on January 1, 1941, in Skomielna Czarna, Poland, and was a member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish. She entered the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province of the Felician Sisters in Kraków, Poland, on August 16, 1961, and professed perpetual vows on August 21, 1968.
Sister Blaise began her ministry as a Felician Sister in the Diocese of Kraków, Poland, ministering in Felician institutions that served children who were developmentally challenged or in need of day care. An excellent cook, she used her culinary skills to prepare meals at the Felician Guest House in Zakopane and later, the provincial house in Kraków. From 1973 to 1981, Sister Blaise served at Our Lady Mediatrix of Graces, the Felician Generalate in Rome, Italy. She cherished the privilege of preparing meals for Pope John Paul II when he visited the generalate. On occasion, she baked special cakes for the pope. While in Rome, Sister Blaise learned to prepare Italian, French, and even African-inspired meals as she served the many international guests who visited the generalate. Returning to Poland, she ministered to tourists visiting the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. Back in Kraków, Sister Blaise worked in the well-known Samuela’s Kitchen, serving as many as 600 students and the elderly daily. She not only enjoyed cooking, but also interacting with the students and others who visited Samuela’s Kitchen, one of the earliest Felician missions, established in 1872. Sister Blaise then travelled to Christlehurst, England, where she engaged in serving elderly Polish immigrants at the Polish Refugee Center.
In 1987, Sister Blaise was invited to the United States of America by the Felician Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province, Buffalo, NY, for one year. This experience led her to seek permanent residence in the United States as a member of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province, Buffalo, NY. Sister Blaise continued to share her culinary talent ministering in food services at Villa Maria Infirmary, lovingly preparing meals for the sick and infirm sisters. She loved her work and could be heard singing her beloved Polish hymns as she worked in the kitchen. When dietary services at the infirmary were reorganized, Sister Blaise moved to St. Stanislaus Convent, Buffalo, NY, where she served a parish sacristan, in addition to cooking at the convent and providing other auxiliary services from 2003 to 2016. She then returned to Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent to serve her sisters at various house duties and devoted herself to a ministry of prayer. Always conscientious in the performance of her duties, Sister Blaise assisted the infirm sisters in any way she was able. She readily helped in transporting sisters confined to wheelchairs to meals or chapel. Many hours were spent in prayer and adoration in the convent chapel. Reflecting on her anniversary of 60 years in religious life, Sister Blaise confirmed her gratitude for God’s abundant blessings throughout her life and for God’s continued blessings, especially that of being gifted with the call to religious life.
Sister Blaise was predeceased by her parents, Wojciech (Adalbert) and Katarzyna (Catherine Trybala) Surlas, her brothers Julian, Wladyslaw (Edward), Chester, Louis, and Stanley; her sisters Rosaria Pencek, Jadwiga (Hedwig) Malazdra and Helena Piekarz; and many nieces and nephews.
A wake for Sister Blaise will be held at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, 600 Doat Street Cheektowaga on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 3 to 5 p.m., followed by an Evening Prayer Service at 5 p.m. in the convent chapel.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the Convent Chapel.
The Mass will be live-streamed via Zoom. Please Click Here to watch live on Friday morning. (You’ll need a “zoom” account prior to log in).
Interment will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Cheektowaga, NY.
Memorials may be made to Felician Sisters, 600 Doat Street Cheektowaga, New York 14211.
Please share a picture in our online Photo Album or a favorite memory in our Guest Book here on Sister Blaise's Tribute page.
Read More
