Sister Sylvia Bielen, OP

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Sister Sylvia Bielen, OP (formerly Sister Theresa Clare) of the Dominican Sisters of Hope, Ossining, New York, died October 26, 2022, at St. Catherine of Siena Convent in Caldwell, N.J. She was 97.

The daughter of the late Albert and Winifred Bulvanoski Bielen, she was born August 18, 1925, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Sister Sylvia entered the novitiate of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh on September 8, 1945, made her First Profession June 25, 1947, and Final Profession August 26, 1950. Sister Sylvia earned her BS in Education from Seton Hall University, an MA in Art from the University of Notre Dame, and an MFA in Design from George Washington University in DC. Her love of music brought her to join the singers in the Greater Newburgh Symphony Chorale.

Sister Sylvia was a teacher in several schools in NJ and Bishop Dunn Memorial School in Newburgh NY (1955-63). She was a Professor in the Art Department at Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, NY from 1975-2009 and was responsible in bringing the annual Artist on Campus event that was well attended over many years. She gave lectures and workshops in spirituality and art at retreat centers in Ossining NY, Litchfield CT, and Rhinebeck, NY, as wells at the Desmond Campus Extension in Newburgh.

A celebration of Sister Sylvia’s life will take place on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, at the Dominican Center, in the Chapel of the Most Holy Rosary, at Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY: viewing at 9 a.m., wake service at 10:15 a.m., and Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m.

Immediately following the liturgy Sister will be buried in the Dominican Sisters of Hope Cemetery on the grounds of Mount Saint Mary College.