Sister Mary Nelson Harlach, OSF, of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities in Williamsville, died Sept. 10, 2017, in St. Mary of the Angels Health Center in Williamsville.  She was 104.

The former Marie Felicia Harlach was born July 6, 1913, in Buffalo, to Frank and Caroline (Manquen) Harlach. She received a pediatric and maternity diploma from the nursing school at Our Lady of Victory in 1933 and joined the Sisters of St. Francis in 1942.

From 1945-63, Sister Mary Nelson taught at several diocesan schools before serving at the infirmary of St. Mary of the Angels from 1963-65. After this, Sister Mary Nelson went back to serving at schools, where she was principal of St. Gerard School in Buffalo, SS. Peter & Paul in Hamburg and Queen of Heaven in West Seneca.

After serving in Catholic education for 46 years, Sister Mary Nelson served as a pastoral care volunteer at St. Francis Geriatric and Health Care Facility in Buffalo.

She was the sister of the late Alma (Leo) Gruber, Dolores (Elmer) Stucke and Arthur (Martha) Harlach. She is also survived by nieces, nephews and their families.

A funeral Mass was held in the chapel of St. Mary of the Angels Convent in Williamsville.