Sister Mary Constance Ward, SSMN, died Dec. 1, 2017, at St. Mary Center in Buffalo. She was 102 years of age.
The former Helen Ward was born March 15, 1915, in Lyons. She received a bachelor's degree in science from Canisius College, and a master's degree in sacred science from St. Bonaventure University. Her teaching ministry led her to serve at Mount St. Mary Academy and St. Paul School in Kenmore, St. John School in Lockport and Cardinal O'Hara High School in Tonawanda. Outside of the Diocese of Buffalo, she also taught at Sacred Heart School in Lowell, Mass., and St. Jude High School in Sumter, S.C. She mainly taught elementary school, but also taught high school chemistry. Additionally, she served as a  principal, guidance counselor, superior and novice mistress.
Later in her ministry, Sister Mary Constance began serving in pastoral ministry. She taught courses on scripture at St. John the Baptist and St. Joseph parishes, both in Lockport. She also served as a pastoral associate at a parish in South Carolina and served as director of Mount Saviour Monastery in Elmira.
She is survived by a niece, Constance Conley; and a cousin, Walter Sidas.
A funeral Mass was held at St. Mary Center, with burial in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kenmore.