Obituary of Lynda Ciolek
May 30, 2020
Lynda L. Ciolek, principal of STEORRA Enterprises, passed away in her home on May 30, 2020, just three weeks shy of her 68th birthday. She had been in declining health.
Born and raised in Chicago, she was the only child of loving parents, Henry and Pauline Ciolek, who supported and encouraged her emerging vocal talent from an early age. Lynda studied voice and piano at the American Conservatory of Music while attending Aquinas Dominican High School on an art scholarship. After graduating from Aquinas in 1970, she enrolled at Indiana University School of Music where she was cast in several operas such as Virgil Thompson's "The Mother of Us All" and in Mozart's "The Magic Flute". She received a bachelor's degree in music and journalism from IU in 1974.
Lynda brought her rich mezzo-soprano to Manhattan School of Music (MSM) in the fall of 1974. At MSM she studied voice with Ellen Faull and coached opera with then-MSM President George Schick. In 1976 she was memorable as the gossipy Mrs. Jones in the historic MSM production of Street Scene, conducted by Maestro Anton Coppola (MSM '63), who died in March.
Because of health considerations, she halted her singing career in the late 1970s and founded STEORRA Enterprises, the Public Relations/Advertising Consulting firm that she led for more than 40 years with her life partner, Marty Streicher, who preceded her in death in 2007. Her clients included the Cassatt Quartet and the late Jean Redpath.
Lynda was devoted to her family and friends, blessed with perception, integrity, and moral rectitude in her personal and professional life. She brought radiant light into the world and will be missed by all who loved her.
A memorial service will be held once churches reopen in the city.
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