Sister Agnes Knapik, OSB, 84, passed away Wednesday morning (April 7) at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown.

Sister Agnes was born July 10, 1936 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Stephen and Mary (Kunak) Knapik.

Sister Agnes entered into formation in religious life at Sacred Heart Monastery in Lisle in Illinois Sept. 8, 1960. She made her Final Profession into the Order of Saint Benedict Aug. 20, 1967 at Saints Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Warren.

From 1965 to 2005, Sister Agnes taught at Saints Peter and Paul in Warren. Sister held many positions within the Byzantine Benedictine Sisters at Queen of Heaven Monastery, including formation director, vocations director, director of the Oblates of St. Benedict, secretary and the Prioress of Queen of Heaven Monastery from 1981 to 1989.

For a short period, Sister served as the Safe Environment Director for the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.

She also served in religious education roles at St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church in Hermitage and St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Youngstown.

In addition to her many positions within her community, Sister Agnes graduated with a master’s degree from Fordham University in New York.

Sister Agnes was a Hospice of the Valley volunteer at Hillside Hospital and was also a frequent volunteer for the St. Vincent DePaul Meals Program.

She enjoyed visiting art galleries and reading cookbooks. Sister had a love for the outdoors and liked to explore. She loved to walk in nature and in large cities, taking in the beauty that was around her.

For the last six months of her life, Sister resided at Villa Maria Healthcare Center in Pennsylvania.

Sister Agnes is survived by her biological sister, Mary Douglas; nieces Joanne (Vasco) Jeronimo, Terri Douglas and Dianne Lamb; great-nieces and great-nephew Melissa (Braedon) Matthews, Lindsay Anderson, Alex Lamb and Jordan Lamb; and grand-nephew Edison Anderson.

Sister Agnes will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.