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Sister Francis Bukaczyk, OSBM 1942 – 2024
Sister Francis Bukaczyk, OSBM 1942 – 2024
Sister Francis Bukaczyk (previously known as Sr. Markianna) was born in Ukraine on March 28, 1942. After World War II her family settled in Mendoza, Argentina where they raised cattle and farmed. Eventually, her father Ivan, mother Rosalia (Kusnir) and their children moved to the Chicago area in the United States of America. In total there were six children in the family – Nicholas, Michael, Olga, Teresa, Francis, and Anna. When the family moved, Francis and Anna were Basilian Sisters in Christ the King Province, Argentina. Francis had the religious name of Sister Markianna, while Anna was Sister Ivanna. Eventually, Francis returned to her baptismal name and became Sr. Francis; her sister became Sr. Rose Ann. Both Sisters had entered the Order in 1963 and made their profession of Perpetual Vows on May 30, 1971.
In Argentina Sr. Francis worked in an orphanage, where she had many responsibilities. She taught elementary school children aged 5 to 12 years. Later, she took care of a boarding school for 13- to 18-year-old children. She did various parish ministries which included catechesis, teaching kindergarten, pastoral and social work. She truly enjoyed working with the younger children.
Missing opportunities to visit parents and siblings in the USA more often due to the distance, both Sisters requested to transfer to Jesus, Lover of Humanity Province in Fox Chase Manor, PA. After a transition period of three years (1985-88), in the spring of 1988 both were accepted as members in the province of Philadelphia. Sister Francis first made efforts into learning the English language, but was more comfortable speaking Spanish or Ukrainian. During her life in the USA, Sr. Francis ministered as an elementary teacher, taught catechesis, and prepared young children to receive the Mystery of Reconciliation and their Solemn Holy Communion. Sister taught in a variety of parishes, including Holy Ghost (Chester, PA), St. John the Baptist (Newark, NJ), Ss. Cyril and Methodius (Olyphant, PA), St. Josaphat (Parma, OH), St. John the Baptist (Northampton, PA), Immaculate Conception (Warren, MI), and St. Nicholas (Chicago, IL). She would often visit her parents and siblings. When her mother was ill, she taught part-time and helped care for her mother.
In 2016 Sr. Francis returned to live in the Motherhouse in Fox Chase Manor, PA due to health problems. Eventually, Sr. Rose Ann joined her and tried to help her sister. Both were happy to spend time in each other’s company.
Sister Francis Bukaczyk passed on to Our Lord in the evening of February 25,2024. Funeral services are scheduled for February 28 and burial on February 29, 2024. May her memory be eternal!