In Loving Memory of Our Ursuline Sisters

Sister Carla Dolce, OSU

Sister Carla Dolce, OSU (Sylvia C. Dolce) returned to God on March 21, 2022, at Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was born to John and Nina Puglia Dolce on November 4, 1932 in New Orleans. Sr. Carla is survived by her beloved brother, Carl J. Dolce and his loving wife, Nancy Lockwood Dolce; her nephew, John Dolce; her niece, Carla Stravridas; and her grand-nieces and and grand-nephews.

With great joy she entered the Ursuline Sisters of the Central Province and was professed July 16, 1956. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in History from the College of New Rochelle and a Master's Degree in History from St. Louis University. Sr. Carla ministered for sixty years throughout the Ursuline Central Province including Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. She served as the local leader for the Ursuline communities of Dallas, Texas; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Springfield, Illinois. In Laredo, Texas, Sr. Carla was principal of St. Peter School and taught at Ursuline Academy of Laredo. She was president of Ursuline Academy in Dallas and later volunteered with the Jewish Community Center. She was president of Marquette High School in Alton, Illinois and president of Ursuline Academy in St Louis, Missouri. In New Orleans, Sr. Carla served as principal and eventually as president of Ursuline Academy. Sr. Carla was co-director of the New Orleans Training Center which trained community organizers and she worked with Catholic Charities welcoming and assisting Cuban families who fled Cuba.

She was director of the National Votive Shrine of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. During this time, she was instrumental in providing for the future of the Shrine by establishing it as a corporation with a lay Board of Trustees. Also, she raised significant funds for a complete renovation of the Shrine. Sr. Carla was passionate about social justice and worked with various organizations in this effort in Laredo, Houston, and Austin, Texas. In Tunica, Mississippi, employed by the Sacred Heart Southern Mission, she was a catalyst for the Tunica Organization of Women with whom she worked to improve housing, education, and justice for the poor.