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Memories of Dr. Dee
Bielecki
I believe that the majority of faculty and
students who knew Dee Bielecki recall the wonderful times spent with her. She
was caring, always reaching out to help the student in need or encouraging those
of us who worked closely with her there in White Hall. She had a great
personality, often interspersing her comments with a grin and a chuckle. She
was devoted, serving her Lord, her family, her friends, and her students. I
still find myself wanting to pick up my cell phone to call her as she had made
me promise to keep her up-to-date on the NGU happenings. It was very hard for
her to retire. Having lived here on the campus for all those years, she viewed
this place as her special home. Even after she retired two years ago, she kept
close contact with her North Greenville family as she called us, showing up at
ballgames, Sigma Tau Delta teas, and the Women's Auxiliary Board meetings. She
was a tireless educator, an advocate for students, and a dear colleague and
friend, one who is missed almost daily by those who knew and loved her.
Dr. Cathy Sepko
I thought I would say something about Dee. The very first time I met Dee, we
were at an English department meeting at one of the faculty member's homes. She
was late (because she always claimed to be directionally-challenged--she always
would get lost); and she rushed up to me and gave me this big hug and said,
"Love, you're the one we've been praying would come. I've lit a candle for you!"
Dee had one of the most generous spirits I've ever encountered. As I was working
on my dissertation these past two years, Dee would write and call me, always
reminding me, "Love, don't forget--I've lit a candle for you. I'm praying for
you." She never seemed to miss an opportunity to encourage and uplift. I
witnessed her seemingly endless love for her students--always going the extra
mile for every individual student. She believed in them--no matter what. As I
sit in her office now (I have Dee's old office in White Hall), I am reminded of
her constantly as I look around at different mementos she left and remember
wonderful discussions we had within those precious walls. I could go on and on.
I'm thrilled that you're taking the opportunity to include an article on such an
extraordinary woman. She was a fantastic teacher and a remarkable friend. Our
department misses her terribly.
Becky Thompson
The last time I saw Dr.
Bielecki, as usual, she didn”t want to talk about herself but wanted to know how
my daughter, Joy, was doing. She had known Joy since she was a toddler and was
also a friend of Joy’s late grandmother. She even called Joy on her cell phone
from the hospital a few days before her death. The last thing I ever said to
her was, Dr. Bielecki, remember how much we love you! Her response was, no you
don’t! I said ,well,of course we do! She replied, but I love all of you even
more!
Mayson Easterling
My memories of Dr. B always involve seeing her deep
compassion for other people, especially her students who were struggling. I can
still hear her say, "Now, love." Then she would encourage all those around her.
I remember when I was serving on the Greenville County Council Martin Luther
King Task Force. The issue of a paid holiday had created much division. The
community was looking to the task force to try to come up with a compromise. I
really felt great responsibility and pressure. One day I came into my office.
There on my desk was a note signed by all of the students in one of Dee's
classes telling me that they were praying for me. Dee's compassion grew from
her faith. In my last visit with her, I asked if there were anything I could do
before I left. She quickly responded that I could pray for her. I did. Our
prayer together is my last and best memory.
Lisa Van Riper
Dee Bielecki was not only a
colleague, but she was also one of my best friends. I have many happy memories
of times shared with her. One funny thing that happened to us was the following.
On one occasion we went to Atlanta to attend a convention for English
professors. We traveled from the school in one of the school cars that badly
needed a bath. Upon arriving in Atlanta, we parked in front of the fancy
downtown hotel where we were going to stay in order to check in. A few minutes
later the porter came running out to ask us to please move our car because we
were blocking the entrance for hotel guests. We had to assure him that we were
guests! We had a good laugh afterward about that. Mostly, I remember Dee’s love
for North Greenville and her students.
Dr. Malinda Willard
When I came to work here in 1998, she lived next door to campus security in
Cooper Apartments. She was a very nice lady. She was the same every time you saw
her. We all loved her missed her so much when she retired. I will never forget
her. She treated me like I was somebody.
Lynn Gosnell
My fondest memory of Dr. Bielecki was
her prayer box. Every time our class would meet she would ask for prayer
requests, shape her hand like a cup and place the request in her hand. She was
using her hands to symbolize that she was taking those requests to Christ. We
she prayed, she would lift her “prayer box” up in order to symbolize those
requests being lifted to Heaven.
Erin Wall
When I entered NGU I felt very alone. I was the "democrat" so this bonded us
from the beginning. She never turned away anyone. Many students know very well
the lounge chair in her office. One rainy November before Thanksgiving break I
was not my "gabby" self. We chatted and she found out I had no Thanksgiving
destination, she included me in her holiday this was great. As we all know she
believed in tough love. I complained of feeling sick. She ignored me and
basically told me to snap out of it to have a good time. She was glad to have me
with her family as she buzzed around listening to Jimmy buffet. After the
holiday with her family I stopped at the hospital nothing was wrong other than
pneumonia. As you can imagine when she found out she was horrified and
embarrassed, I would tease her. She didn't find it funny one bit because she
truly cared, about every one, she made a big impact on my life I teach high
school English and history only because of Dr. B And Dr. Hickson. Acceptance of
others and agreeably disagreeing made learning an awesome experience. NGU will
never be the same.
Gabriella Terry
I took Dr.
Bielecki for a number of classes during my time at North Greenville. Why…because
she cared for me as not only a student, but a person. Sometimes when I lacked
discipline she was always there to give an encouraging word. She certainly had
an impact not only on the students she taught, but also everyone that came in
contact with her. She never discriminated against race or your abilities. Dr.
Bielecki and her hairdresser took a trip to the Cayman Islands one year, and she
brought me back a tee shirt that is part of my quilt in my office, and an
ornament that I put on my tree every year. You could always count on her to pray
for whatever need you might have, and she would offer it up to God in her prayer
box before the start of class. Another fond memory I have of her is during one
of her classes she made us turn out the lights, and she started making sound
effects to go along with the story that we were reading and talking about. She
sure is missed not only around this campus, but also in the community. I
appreciate and cherish the memories and time that we all had with her.
Cayman Lucy
Dr. Bielecki was a great mentor of
mine at NGU. I did workstudy for her my senior year and often had many talks
with her about God, life, and love. She wouldn’t sit behind her desk and talk to
me but she wanted to be right beside me. She inspired me in so many ways it is
hard to describe. She was a strong faithful woman in Christ. She never
compromised any of her beliefs and always encouraged others to do the same. I
firmly believe that besides Christ, she is one of the reasons I began working at
NGU. I believe every student who talked with her was touched by her ministry at
NGU. Dr. Bielecki was a woman after God’s own heart! My life has forever been
changed because I was a friend of this wonderful lady.
Melissa M. Barnette
Dr. Dee
Bielecki was such an inspiration to me while I was in college. There were times
when it was getting tough and I wanted to quit. She was always there to lift me
up with encouraging words. She would also give me a big hug like a mother when
I needed it. She will be sorely missed very much by everyone that she has
touched. My prayers are with her family. I know that she is rejoicing now and
could not be happier.
Jason Ross
Back in the early and mid 1960s, I babysat for the Bielecki's when we were
friends and neighbors in Ft. Buchanan, Puerto Rico. Dee was one of the best
teachers I ever had, and made history live for me. I wanted to emulate her, and
was so excited when she let me teach one of her classes when I was an older
student. She coached me as I prepared the material, supported and encouraged me,
and gave me helpful feedback. It was a high point! Dee had an uncanny ability
to make subjects exciting – and to challenge and invigorate her students. Dee’s
example helped us love to learn. And she taught us, as Dewey said, “how to
think.” When Dee taught at Antilles, she had a cadre of us who idolized her.
She was a role model for how to teach and how to live. I went on to major in
Humanities at Converse, with an M.A. from FSU, and an M.Div. from Princeton.
Now, my teaching is related to church and nonprofit capacity building. And Dee’s
many gifts as a teacher and a person have remained an example for me. There are
few whose lives touch so many others, so profoundly.
Rev. Anne Hays Egan
Our class with Dr. Bielecki met down stairs in White Hall for Magazine Writing
during my freshman year. I'll never forget during the middle of our class Dr.
Bielecki went to get her telephone out of her office. She brought it to class
then called her family in Puerto Rico. I thought it was funny at the time
because I never had a teacher/professor just stop in the middle of class to call
someone...all the way in Puerto Rico! She always had a sweet spirit and I always
loved going to her class and running into her on campus...even though she would
always confuse me with a former student who also had red hair like mine. She was
a blessing to have in my life and she will be greatly missed. I look forward to
seeing her again.
Mary Evans Lane
I was distressed to hear of the passing of Dr. Dee Bielecki who, as an educator
in my native Puerto Rico for over three decades, left an indeliblle mark on me
and generations of students who passed through the Antilles Consolidated School
System. I had the honor of being taught by Mrs. Bielecki (or "Mrs. B" as she
was known to us) on at least three occasions: She was my 6th grade history
teacher and even today I can remember aspects of WWII which were brought to life
by her as we sat in tropical wooden buildings on Ft Buchanan, PR built, by
coincidence, as "temporary" barracks during WWII. I later took both history and
current events with her in 8th grade and later English (and Study Hall) in my
freshman year of high school. She was also co-sponsor of AHS class of 1982 for 4
memorable years. More importantly, she infused me with an appreciation and love
of history (and its relevance to current affairs) that I carry with me today -
and over 20 years of U.S. diplomatic service - as I have during my undergraduate
and graduate years in the study of foreign affairs and international relations.
I loved this woman. God Bless her.
Juan Cruz
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