Obituary |
Here is her obituary; it was apparently never published, which seemed silly considering the several hundred people at her funeral.
March 14, 2007
Obituary for Sister Martha Bisantz, GNSH
Sister Martha Bisantz, GNSH, formerly Sister Martha Anne, (64), died of complications from ovarian cancer on March 13, 2007, at Hospice Buffalo, in the 47th year of her Religious Life. Prior to moving into full time social work, she taught in elementary schools in Atlanta, GA, Kodiak, AK, Lowell, MA, Jackson Heights and Corona, NY. She has ministered to needy families and youth in the Buffalo area for 33 years, 30 of them through service at Father Baker's. In 1974, she realized her dream to serve young people as Outreach Worker Supervisor with the Buffalo Youth Board. From September 1975 - May 1976 she worked with Child and Family Services in Buffalo, and then returned to the Buffalo Division of Youth. She joined the staff as a case worker at Baker Hall in December of 1977 and was appointed Director of Day Services in 1979. Two years later she was made Director of the Foster Family Boarding Home Program at Baker Hall which position she held until 1995. Until the time of her death she continued at Baker Victory Services in the role of Certified Social Worker carrying on the mission of St. Marguerite D'Youville to reach out to those in need.
Born and raised in Buffalo, this graduate of Holy Angels School and Holy Angels Academy entered the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart on September 8, 1960. She earned a BA in Sociology from D'Youville College and earned her MSW at State University of New York at Buffalo. In 1978, she was licensed as a Certified Social Worker with the New York State Education Department.
In addition to her Religious Community, Sister Martha is survived by her sisters and brothers: J. Patricia (Anthony) Caldiero (Buffalo), John W. (Judith) Bisantz (Kenmore), Mary E. Bisantz (Raleigh, NC) and Anthony E. (Charlotte) Bisantz (Rodanthe, NC).
The viewing is Friday, March 16, 2007, 3 P.M.-7 P.M., at the James W. Cannan Funeral Home, 3155 Orchard Park Rd., Orchard Park. The Liturgy of Christian Burial is 11:15 Saturday, March 17, 2007 at the Church of St. John Vianney, 2950 Southwestern Blvd., Orchard Park. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Lackawanna, NY. Funeral arrangements by James W. Cannan Funeral Home , 3155 Orchard Park Rd., Orchard Park, NY.
Flowers gratefully declined. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart, 1750 Quarry Rd., Yardley, PA 19067-3998 or Baker Victory Services Foster Care Department, c/o J. O'Mara, 790 Ridge Rd. Lackawanna, NY 14218. |