‘Trailblazing’ Caldwell Religious Educator Passes Away

CALDWELL, NJ — Sister Vivien Jennings, a former teacher in Caldwell, Linden, Hoboken, Verona, Montclair and Clark, passed away on May 5. Jennings was also the former president of Caldwell College, who oversaw the school’s decision to transition from an all-women’s institution to a co-educational college.

She was 83-years-old, according to her obituary.

Caldwell University issued a message of remembrance on Monday:

“Sister Vivien was a trailblazer whose leadership as president allowed the college to flourish in countless ways. She was president when the decision was made to transition from an all-women’s institution to a co-educational college. Among her many accomplishments, she expanded intercollegiate athletics, was the first director of the Educational Opportunity Fund, professor in the English Department, director of Continuing Education, and started the Fanjeaux study-abroad experience where members of the campus community travel to France to learn about the Dominican tradition. Sister Vivien shared her faith in God, joy, and encouragement with us and our lives are so much richer because of her.”

• See related article: Caldwell College Athletics Inducts Six Honorees into Hall of Fame

A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Aloysius Church, 219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ on Wednesday, May 9 at 10 a.m. Visiting will be in St. Catherine of Siena Convent, 7 Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell on Tuesday, May 8 from 2 to 8 p.m. Office for the Dead will be on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in St. Catherine of Siena Convent Chapel.

Jennings’ obituary follows below, via Prout Funeral Home:

“Sr. Vivien Jennings, OP, 83, passed into the arms of our loving Lord on Saturday, May 5, 2018 in Mountainside Hospital, Glen Ridge, NJ.

“Sr. Vivien was a humble woman of joy, wisdom, reverence, compassion and peace. She served her God and Congregation faithfully for 66 years as a Dominican Sister of Caldwell.

“A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Aloysius Church, 219 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ on Wednesday, May 9 at 10:00am. Visiting will be in St. Catherine of Siena Convent, 7 Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell on Tuesday, May 8 from 2 to 8 pm. Office for the Dead will be on Tuesday at 4:00 pm in St. Catherine of Siena Convent Chapel.

“Born in Jersey City, NJ, Sr. Vivien knew of God’s love for her first from her parents, Mary Alice and Eugene. She entered the Sisters of Saint Dominic on September 8, 1952 and received the Dominican habit on June 27, 1953, made first profession on June 28, 1954 and final profession on June 28, 1960.

“Sr. Vivien earned a BA in English from Caldwell College, an MA in English from Catholic University, an MS in Communications from Syracuse University and a PhD in English from Fordham University. She pursued further studies in English at Oxford University, Urban Education at Harvard School of Education and Finance in Higher Education at Columbia Teachers’ College.

“Sr. Vivien served as an elementary school teacher at St. Aloysius School in Caldwell, St. Elizabeth School in Linden, Sts. Peter & Paul School in Hoboken, Our Lady of the Lake School in Verona and St. John’s School in Clark. She then taught secondary school at Lacordaire Academy in Upper Montclair and English at Caldwell College in Caldwell. Sister served as Major Superior of the Caldwell Dominican Order from 1969 – 1979; was founder of Link Educational Center, Newark; President of the Dominican Leadership Conference from 1978 – 1979; Continuing Education Director at Caldwell College from 1980 – 1982; Telecommunications Director at Barry University from 1982 – 1983; Public Affairs Director at Catholic Telecommunications Network in NYC from 1983 – 1984; President of Caldwell College from 1984 – 1994; Caldwell College Professor from 1996 – 1999; Principal of St. Dominic Academy in Jersey City from 1999 – 2006; and Director of Website Office for the Caldwell Dominican Order in Caldwell from 2011 – 2015.

“Sr. Vivien touched the hearts and brought the message of God’s patient, truthful, never-failing love to all who came to know her. She reminded us that God is always present in our lives.

“Sister Vivien was predeceased by her parents, Mary Alice and Eugene Jennings, her sisters Alice White, Eugenia Smith, Marion Sheridan, Marjorie Menz and Harriet Jennings and nephews, Eugene Menz, Roger, John, Bill and Tom White.

“She is survived by her loving Sisters of St. Dominic, her nieces, Jean-Anne Smith, Ellen (Neal) Brower, Sandy (Bob) Kahn, and Anne White and nephews Norman (Rita) Menz, Jr., Wayne (Donna) Menz, John (Carol-Lee) Smith, James (Cathy) Smith, William (Clare) Sheridan, Mark (Joann) Sheridan, and Allen White and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

“In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Sisters of St. Dominic, One Ryerson Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006 would be appreciated.”

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Photo: Prout Funeral Home