Reflections Magazine Issue #57 - Spring 2002 | Page 12

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class, Clare Gleeson, OP ‘39 works daily
in the art studio, producing pastel portraits
and still life studies. Sister Clare Genevieve teaches ceramics in the ceramic studio.
Colette Martin, OP sews and knits.
Other DLC residents can be found in the
library and reading room, attending a lecture or scripture study group, working in
the greenhouse or with the garden club. Still
others will be in the resident kitchens trying
a new recipe, in the exercise room staying in
shape, or in the lobby working on a jigsaw
puzzle.
Sister Marie Irene is one of many DLC
residents who spend time regularly in the
computer lab, sending and receiving e-mail,
surfing the web, or learning new computer
graphics skills, sometimes helped by student
tutors from Siena Heights.
“You can always learn new things,” said
Marie Irene with a smile in her voice.

Lives of study and ministry
It shouldn’t be surprising that these women
are so ready and willing to learn new things.
After all, study is one of the pillars of Adrian
Dominican life and the majority of the older
Sisters spent their working lives involved in
education one way or another.
Nonetheless, it is impressive to encounter
lively political discussions, informed peace
and justice debates, and passionate concern
for current events, all in a community of
women 50, 60 and 70 years older than the
traditional Siena Heights undergraduate.

ou must come see the new art
exhibit,” said the voice on the other
end of the phone. She promised
pencil, ink and watercolor creations, recent
work by a group of promising new artists.
A local museum? A select gallery?
No, the exhibit in question was on view in
the foyer of the Dominican Life Center; and
the fledgling artists were Adrian Dominican
nuns, some in their 80s, exploring perspective, shading, and composition for the first
time under the tutelage of Patricia Lynch,
OP ‘56 (photo above).
The art class was just one example of the
lively learning that takes place daily at the
Dominican Life Center.
“Our bodies may be going, but our minds are
great!” said the voice on the phone—Marie

Irene Miller, OP ‘36—bright with enthusiasm.
The Dominican Life Center
is home to about 250 retired
Adrian Dominican Sisters,
most of them Siena Heights
alumnae, some of them
former faculty and staff (see
page 8). Many are in declining health. With an average
age of 83, you might expect
such a community to be
somber, possibly sad.
You would be wrong.
The DLC brims with the joy
and adventure of learning,
growing and giving.
In addition to Pat Lynch’s art

“These women are avid readers,” said Rosemary Abramovich, OP ‘71, administrator of
the DLC since 1998. “They stay current.
They write letters to their congresspersons.”

In addition, she says, although they are formally retired, “everyone in the DLC has
some mission,
some minisThe DLC
The Dominican Life Center, located just
try.” Each coneast of Madden Hall on the campus of
tributes to the
the Adrian Dominican Motherhouse, is
best of her abilmade up of the Maria, Regina and Ronities.
calli buildings. Maria and Regina are
residential facilities; Roncalli houses the
administrative offices. The Motherhouse
campus adjoins the Siena Heights University campus.

History of the Sisters
Established in 1884, the Adrian Dominican Sisters are founders and sponsors
of Siena Heights University. Membership on June 30, 2001 was 1,039.

Some of the sisters tutor at St.
Joseph Academy, or volunteer in the
Congregation
offices or at
Weber Center.
Others, more
cont. on page 15