Sister Mary Andrea (Helen) Mazur, 96, peacefully went home to her God on Saturday, January 1, 2022, at the Westbury Long Term Care Centre in Etobicoke. Sister Mary Andrea was one of the first Canadians who entered the Felician Sisters Community. In 1938 at the age of 13, Helen Mazur went to Buffalo to enter the Felician Aspirancy and completed her high school education at Villa Maria Academy. She was formally accepted into the Felician Community as a postulant at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent in Buffalo, New York, on July 9, 1942. Following her initial formation, she made her first vows on August 6, 1944. For 8 years Sister Andrea taught elementary school in Buffalo, was sacristan and taught catechetics in the local parish. She professed her final vows on August 6, 1950.
During Sister’s 79 years of religious life, she served in various apostolates. In 1952, Sister Andrea returned to Canada. She was a teacher of grades 7 and 8 and also principal in various elementary schools in the Durham, Welland, and Hamilton Catholic school boards for 22 years. As well as teaching during the week, Sister travelled to Buffalo, New York on Saturdays to receive her Bachelor and Masters degrees from Medaille College. For many years, she also taught catechetical classes outside the normal school hours.
One highlight of Sister Andrea’s life was when she was called upon to be a member of the International Ad-Hoc Commission to study the Constitutions of the Congregation of the Felician Sisters and update them in light of Vatican II. Sister went to Rome, Italy, for one year, and worked with the commission of Felician Sisters to fulfill this task. Upon her return to Mississauga, Sister taught at Holy Name of Mary High School and served as Vice-Principal for a number of years. During this time, she was elected as councillor and vicar of the leadership team and ministered in this role for 6 years. Sister Andrea served in local leadership for many years of her religious life. From 1987 until 2020, Sister also served as the resource historian and archivist for the Felician Canadian region.
Sister Andrea was a gentle person, faith-filled, faithful and dedicated to the Felician Community. She was conscientious and reliable in all her duties and ministries. She belonged to the Catholic Archivist Group and was an active participant in their meetings.
Sister Andrea loved her family and looked forward to visits and phone calls from them. She loved nature and loved God’s creatures, especially birds, and particularly the budgies. Sister also enjoyed gardening, and was an expert in growing geraniums, and violets!
Despite her many health issues over the years she continued to minister, living life fully. Unfortunately, in July 2020, Sister Andrea became very ill, and after spending time in the hospital, it was determined that she needed full nursing care, and then became a resident at the Westbury Long Term Care Centre.
Sister Andrea is the loving sister of Father John Mazur, OMI, Henry (Barbara), and Jean Yuskoski and a caring aunt of many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, Peter and Antoinette, and siblings Stanley, Mary, Olga, Jennie, Ted, Josie, and Virginia.
The Felician Sisters express their sincere gratitude to all the 8th-floor staff members at the Westbury Long Term Care Centre for their dedicated care of Sister Andrea since August 2020.
Visitation will be held at the Turner and Porter Neweduk Chapel on Thursday, January 6th, from 2 – 4 p.m. Due to the pandemic restrictions, all guests must register in advance.
For those who wish to register to attend the visitation, please click the "To Register, Please Click Here" button below.
A private Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 7th and interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery. A memorial Mass will be held at a later date for family and friends.
In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to the Felician Sisters’ ministries to the needy, and if desired, one can indicate a specific mission (e.g. Tulita, Northwest Territories, Felician Missions, St. Felix Centre).