Sr. Mary Frances Welch, OSF

Sister Mary Frances Welch, the former Sister Mary Peter, was born in Columbus, OH, on May 23, 1927, and died February 18, 2019. at the Stella Niagara Health Center, Stella Niagara, New York.   She was the daughter of the late William and Anne (Blaney) Welch.

Sister Mary Frances entered the Sisters of St. Francis September 1, 1945 and was professed August 18, 1947. She received her B.S. degree from Rosary Hill (Daemen) College in Buffalo, New York, in 1957, and an M.A. From Niagara University in 1967. She did further studies at Fordham University.

Sister Mary Frances taught at St. Ann's School in Buffalo and St. Joseph's in Gowanda, NY.  She was Superior and Principal at Our Lady of Lebanon, Niagara Falls, NY.  She taught Philosophy at Rosary Hill (Daemen) College, and was also the Director of the Higher Education Opportunity Program. 

Sister Mary Frances founded the Consortium of High Education, which offered classes and degree programs at Attica Correctional Facility.  She worked at the State Education Department in Albany, NY from 1977 to 1992, supervising the HEOP and prison programs throughout New York State.  After retiring from the State, she taught at Gowanda State Prison.  

Sister Mary Francis retired to Stella Niagara in 2002, has been a resident of the Stella Niagara Health Center since 

Wake Tuesday, Feb. 19 from 3-7PM with a prayer service at 7 PM  A Mass of Christian Burial in the Sister's Chapel. Burial will be held Wednesday,, Feb. 20 at 10AM

Besides her parents, Sister Mary Frances  was pre-deceased by brothers and sisters:  Sister Helen Welch, OSF, Harold, Thomas, Charles, William, Catherine, Dorothy, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

 Memorials to Sisters of St. Francis, Stella Niagara, NY 14144.

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