Lydia Fleck Oratowski
Lydia Fleck Oratowski, 96, of Plant City, died Nov. 23, 2016, with her family at her side.
She was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 16, 1920, to Sophie (Kohl) Fleck and Andrew Henry Fleck. She was baptized at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, where she sang in the choir. In 1937, she graduated from John Adams High School on Long Island. For a first job, she worked at Dun and Bradstreet’s ninth floor New York stock exchange as a secretary. In 1939, she married Constantine Gregory Oratowski. The couple spent 54 happy years together with sons Leonard and Michael until Constantine’s death in 1993.
She spoke English, German, Russian and Polish. Her career took her up through various management and directorship positions in Chicago, but she always had time for children. As a Cub Scout leader, she set time out to integrate reading and math into activities, and raised her two sons the same way. Upon moving to Florida in the 1960s, she became the state’s first female rural route carrier for the United States Postal Service. She volunteered at elementary schools in St. Petersburg and Plant City until she was 83, showing her caring spirit and love of humanity. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Constantine.
She is survived by her sons, Leonard (Letty) and Michael (Teresa); and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to LifePath Hospice at ChaptersHealth.org.
Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.
