Sister M. Paul Merkl, OSF, born Mildred Merkl in Buffalo, NY on August 2, 1925, died October 22, 2019 at the Stella Niagara Health Center, Stella Niagara, New York. She was the daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (Schieder) Merkl.
Sister Paul entered the Sisters of St. Francis September 2, 1943 and was professed August 18, 1945. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Rosary Hill (Daemen) College, Buffalo, NY in 1960, and a Master's in Education from the State University of NY at Buffalo, NY in 1975.
Sister Paul taught at St. Joachim School, St. Ann School, St Benedict School, St. Bernard School and Central School Msgr. Herlihy Campus in Buffalo, NY; Sacred Heart School in Columbus, Ohio; Our Lady of Lebanon School in Niagara Falls, NY; St. Joseph School in Gowanda, NY; St. Mary School in New Monmouth, NJ; Sacred Heart School and St. Anthony School in Charleston, WV.
Sister Paul also served as portress and worked in the Alumnae office at Sacred Heart Academy, Eggertsville, NY; was secretary at St. James Parish, Buffalo, NY; and did Parish Outreach at St. Amelia Parish, Tonawanda, NY.
Though Sister Paul retired at Sacred Heart Academy in 1996, she still continued part-time outreach ministry at St. Amelia Parish, Tonawanda, NY. In 2012, during renovations at Sacred Heart, she moved to Stella Niagara. Sister Paul became a resident of the Stella Niagara Health Center in 2013.
Besides her parents, Sister Paul was predeceased by her brother, Milfred Merkl and a sister, Dorothy (James) Kelly. She is survived by nieces, Nancy (Steven) Bagrowski, Patricia (Ronald) Wolf and Carolyn Dearden, and a nephew, Paul Merkl; as well as special friends, Chris and Paul Tuzzi, Jr., and her Sisters in the Stella Niagara Community.
Calling hours Sunday, Oct. 27, from 4-7PM with a prayer service at 7PM. Mass of Christian Burial in the Sister's Chapel Monday, Oct. 28 at 10AM. Burial in Stella Niagara Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Sisters of St. Francis, Stella Niagara, NY 14144.
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