Sister Mary Genette Kukula

Kukula, Sister Mary Genette 1910-2012Felician Franciscan Sister Mary Genette (Sophie) Kukula passed away at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent in Rio Rancho, NM, on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 102 years of age. Born in Chicago, IL, on May 8, 1910, Sophia was the daughter of Jacob and Angela Malinek Kukula. She attended Mother of Good Counsel High School in Chicago, and in July, 1926, she entered religious life with Felician Sisters, receiving the religious name of Sister Mary Fulginetta. Sister Genette obtained an MA from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and dedicated her life to education, both elementary and secondary. She taught in Catholic elementary schools in Chicago and Evanston, IL; Manitowoc and Milwaukee, WI; St. Joseph, MO; Tulsa, OK; Enfield, CT; Brooklyn, NY; Salem, MA; Fort Worth, TX; Anaheim and Los Angeles, CA. She was a school principal in Exeter, NE and St. Hedwig, TX. She taught at the secondary level at Mother of Good Counsel High School, Chicago, and Pomona Catholic High School, Pomona, CA. Sister Genette served as historian for the province of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rio Rancho from 1979 to 1996, and served as interim chairperson of the Felician Historian Commission from 1990-1992. She was admissions clerk and worked in medical records at Yorktown Memorial Hospital, Yorktown, TX, 1982-83. In 1989-92, she was secretarial aide at Good Shepherd Center, Albuquerque, NM, and did volunteer work at Good Shepherd Development Office, 1994-98. From the year 2000 until her death, Sister Genette devoted herself to prayer ministry at the Felician Sisters Convent in Rio Rancho. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Joseph Kukula. She is survived by her brothers, Ted Kukula of San Francisco, CA, and Chester Kukula of Wayne, PA; and many nieces and nephews. Rosary and Wake Services will be held at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Convent Chapel at 6:30 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012. Mass of Christian Burial will be at the same location at 9:00 am on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Albuquerque, NM. Daniels Family Funeral Services4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124505-892-9920