Sister Mary Angela Gawlik

Sister Mary Angela Gawlik
Felician Sister Mary Angela Gawlik passed away on Saturday August 15, 2015 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent, following an extended illness. The daughter of Anthony and Cecilia Mika Gawlik of Cestohova, Texas, she was given the name Florence at her Baptism. It was in Cestohova that she received her grade school education. On August 15, 1948 she left home to begin her High School education at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Chicago, IL. Upon graduation in 1952, she entered the Felician Sisters Convent on Peterson Avenue and began her period of formation. In 1953, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Province was formed in Ponca City, OK to which Sister Mary Angela was transferred. A lover of children, it was no surprise that Sister chose teaching as her ministry and in 1955 began her teaching career as a teacher of kindergarten and grade one in Blackwell, OK. Sister became a master teacher of grades one and two and in the years to follow taught in Birmingham, AL, Midwest City OK, Kansas City, MO, Tulsa, OK, Anaheim, Pomona and Claremont, CA, San Antonio, TX and Albuquerque, NM. She ministered in some locations more than once, to the joy of students and parents. In her final years in the classroom, Sister Angela served as a teacher’s aide and mentor. Needless to say, wherever Sister went the children loved her as much as she loved them and in her affirming way won over those who did not like school. In her desk was a designated drawer that was loaded with candy and early in the year the students learned when and why they had access to that sweet drawer. She found ways to reward all students and this was only one way of doing that. She won the hearts of all ages and types of people and her calendar was filled with reminders of who had birthdays and anniversaries and all sorts of occasions to remember and remember them all she did. Correspondence was one her many gifts. In 2004, Sister said good bye to classroom teaching and took up residence at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent in Rio Rancho, NM. Here Sister continued her loving ways in several internal ministries as well as teaching CCD at San Ysidro Parish in Corrales. Sister Angela will always be remembered for her endless kindness and joy and her deep devotion to our Blessed Mother, Mary. She never met a stranger and her heart was open to everyone. Sister was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Ambrose and Roman Gawlik:her sisters Irene Wiatrek and Emily Keller. She is survived by her brothers Nick, Herman, Lambert and Alvin Gawlik: her sisters Rose Janysek and Dorothy Moy. Rosary and Wake Services will be held at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent Chapel, at 4210 Meadowlark Lane SE in Rio Rancho on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, at 6:30 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the same location on Wednesday, August 19, at 9:30 AM, followed by interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Albuquerque, NM. (Memorial donations may be made to the Felician Sisters of North America - 4210 Meadowlark Lane SE - Rio Rancho, NM 87124-1021) To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com  
Daniels Family Funeral Services
4310 Sara Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-892-9920