SINSINAWA — Sr. Mariel Blanche Bronson, OP, died Friday, Oct. 24, 2014, at St. Dominic Villa. Her religious name was Sister Ethelwin. The funeral Mass will be held in Queen of the Rosary Chapel at Sinsinawa on Friday, Oct. 30, 2014, followed by burial of the cremains in the Motherhouse Cemetery.
Sister Mariel Blanche made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican August 5, 1947, and her final profession August 5, 1950. She taught for 36 years, served as support staff for one year, ministered in social work for seven years, and served as volunteer music teacher for nine years. Sister Mariel Blanche was a talented cello player who played with the War Production Board Orchestra, Washington, D.C.; Sedalia Symphony and Sedalia Trio, both Sedalia, MO.; D.C. Community Orchestra, Washington, D.C., where she was soloist for the Saint-Saen’s “Cello Concerto”; Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Dubuque, Iowa; and Sinsinawa Strings Orchestra, Sinsinawa, Wis. She served in Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Missouri, and the District of Columbia.
In the Diocese of Madison, Sister Mariel Blanche taught at St. Patrick, Madison, 1965-1966, and served at the Motherhouse, Sinsinawa, as support staff, 1991-1992, and volunteer music teacher, 1992-2001.
Sister Mariel Blanche was born April 30, 1919, in Sedalia, MO., the daughter of Ira and Ethel (Armstrong) Bronson. Her parents and a brother, John Bronson, preceded her in death. She is survived by nieces, nephews, and her Dominican Sisters with whom she shared life for 67 years.
Memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, 585 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, WI, 53824-9701 or online at www.sinsinawa.org by clicking on “Donate Now,” then “Honor and Memorial Gift.”
Repeat broadcasts of the wake and funeral for Sister Mariel Blanche are available online at www.Sinsinawa.org/live Click on the “on demand” tab.