Bronia S. Wheeler

1925 - 2017

Bronia Sielewicz Wheeler, of Weston, MA, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, in her sleep on March 15, 2017. She was 91 years old, and had battled Alzheimer's disease since 2007. Born in Franklin, NH in 1925 to Polish immigrants and millworkers Bronislaw and Ludwika (Slonina) Sielewicz, Bronia grew up in Newport, NH. She graduated as class president from Boston University in 1947, also earning her MA in English and American Literature in 1948. Bronia was an accomplished actress and teacher. She performed three times on Broadway (as Bronia Stefan), including as understudy to Anne Bancroft in the original The Miracle Worker, and later starring as Annie Sullivan in the Australian tour in 1962. She performed numerous times Off-Broadway and at regional theatres (Guthrie, Arena Stage, Antioch Shakespeare Festival, Brattle Theatre, Poets Theatre, Sharon Playhouse, Hedgerow, Lake Sunapee Playhouse), and at the American Repertory Theatre (ART) in the 1990's. On television, she acted in several dramatic specials in the 1950s for CBSs Alcoa Hour and NBCs 'Camera Three' and 'Catholic Hour.' After college, she taught English at Towle High School in Newport, NH and at Cambridge School of Weston. She taught acting throughout her career, until the age of 82, at Harvard Extension School and elsewhere. She was married in 1964 to the late David F. Wheeler (2012), theatre director and teacher, who founded Theatre Company of Boston (TCB), where Bronia and David worked together for over a decade. A devoted mother, she is survived by her son Lewis D. Wheeler and his partner Amanda Collins of Boston. Bronia is also survived by her sister-in-law Joyce Sielewicz of Newport, NH and nephews Michael Sielewicz of Newport, NH and David Walther of Roslindale, MA and his husband Drew Hubbard. She was predeceased by her brother, Edwin Sielewicz, sister-in-law Janet Wheeler, and nephew Capt. David Sielewicz, USAF. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, March 28 at St. John the Evangelist Church, in Wellesley Hills. Interment will be private for the family. Donations in Bronia's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org/manh/ or to the Jewish Family & Childrens Service at www.jfcsboston. org. Arrangements were by the Henry J. Burke and Sons Funeral Home, Wellesley Hills.