Sister M. Estelle Boytis, F.D.C. was born to Elizabeth Nemeth and Steven Boytis in Roebling, New Jersey. She had one sister. Sister was soon recognized to have artistic talent and this became the hallmark of her consecrated life. She graduated form St. Joseph hill Academy conducted by the Daughters of Divine Charity. She received her education degree form Seton Hall University and studied fine and commercial art in the Washington School of Art. She received a Master of Fine Art Education from Newark State College
Sister had experience teaching all levels of junior High and Elementary school. She moderated the art club at St. Joseph Hill Academy and had pupils of all ages for independent art study. She received a grant to participate in the Artists’ International Workshop in Rome sponsored by the University of Virginia during the summer of 1979. some of the paintings from this time are on display at St. Joseph Hill Convent.
Sister often conducted art workshops sponsored by the Archdiocese of New York and in various teachers’ institutes on Staten Island and other cities. She won recognition especially for a pastel painting she made of the Supreme Court Building, Washington, D.C. which was later reproduced as a card
Sister also designed the stained glass windows for St. Elizabeth Chapel in Carteret, N.J.
After a richly blessed career as a teacher in New Jersey, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York, Sister was stationed to Villa Madonna where she did research and made display posters about the mansion and the Rutherfurd family. She enhanced many occasions with her talent and ability in calligraphy. In “retirement” she continued to tutor private students, create flyers and posters.
Sister also played the organ at liturgies and wrote a melody for the Congregation motto Omnia Pro Deo.
When Sister had to leave Villa Madonna, she went to Staten Island but was soon forced by physical infirmity to become a resident of Eger Health Care Center. There she conducted art classes for the residents, some of whom discovered in advanced age that they had artistic talent.
A few weeks before her death Sister’s many health problems began to take their toll. She slept more and more and became less able to respond. Sisters spent time at her side as the end neared. On September 10, 2009 she quietly breathed her soul into the arms of the Lord.