Sister Mary Andrea Illig died Sept. 2, 2015, at Mercy Center Health Care Unit in Buffalo. She was 98.

The former Mary Elizabeth Illig was born July 23, 1917, in Jamestown, to Joseph and Christine (Bleyle) Illig. She joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1936 and professed her first vows in 1939. Sister Mary Andrea received a bachelor's degree in education from Canisius College in Buffalo.

Sister Mary Andrea taught at diocesan elementary and middle schools in Batavia, Jamestown, Niagara Falls and South Buffalo for 38 years. When she was 58 years old, she pursued a second ministry in the field of health care, studying at the McAuley School of Nursing at Trocaire College in Buffalo. She went on to serve for 15 years at Our Lady of Mercy Infirmary in Orchard Park.

She is survived by nieces and nephews, including Sister Nancy Illig, OSF.

A funeral Mass was held at Mercy Center Chapel in Buffalo, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery in Buffalo.