The Western New York community is mourning the loss of a woman who’s left an impact on countless people in the area.

Agnes Bain, the longtime executive director of the African American Cultural Center, passed away late last month.

“She’s irreplaceable. It was definitely a blessing for anybody that got to know her,” said Azizah Hawkins, one of Bain’s nieces.

“What I remember is a beautiful human being who loved and cherished everyone who she came across,” said Nikki Thomas, another nieces.

The 78-year-old was the executive director of the African American Cultural Center for more than 40 years. The center promotes African American heritage through arts and education.

“She was adamant about growing our children and making sure that they stay out of trouble. This is a place where the kids can come, they weren’t out there dealing with anything else, this was something they can come to and learn. This was a learning establishment,” Thomas said.

For Bain, leaving an impact on the community was important. One of the ways she did that was by mentoring children in the area.

“She taught you right from wrong, if you were wrong, she would talk about how you would handle it differently, what you could have done and definitely in a way so that when you continue or you’re faced with the situation again, you know how to handle it,” Hawkins said.

Bain’s nieces describe their aunt as compassionate and caring. When they were kids, Bain would pick them up unexpectedly and go on spontaneous trips to Toronto. They also remember all the fun times they had learning and performing at the cultural center.

“She helped shape a lot of kids into the adults they are today,” Hawkins said.

Bain’s family says the best way to continue her legacy is to keep running the center with the children’s best interests at heart.

“This facility has given a lot of children an escape, a positive escape. They’re seeing other people in here who can teach them those skills, now they can achieve the same skills and goals and aspirations, so I hope they continue having the center,” Thomas said.

Bain will be laid to rest on Monday. Services are planned at Friendship Baptist Church. The wake is at 11 a.m. and funeral at noon.

People are expected to gather at the African American Cultural Center to remember her on Monday evening.