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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So sorry. She left too soon. Beautiful person and very talented.
Posted by: Joyce Ritchison - McCordsville, IN - June 18, 2020
I am so deeply shocked and saddened to just now learn of Lyndas passing. I first met Lynda when I was a young fitness instructor and dancer at 30 East 40th Street. Lynda was my student, but I truly learned much more from her about living life to its fullest and following your heart and your dreams. She continued her never ending support and love for me as I got married, had children, and traveled away from NYC. We didnt talk often, but she continued to be one of my biggest cheerleaders and very dear to my heart. I will miss her faithful calls and emails for every birthday and anniversary. She was one in a million and this world has lost one of its brightest lights. I love you, Lynda. I hope you and Marty are dancing in heaven together .
Posted by: Kristine Willis - , - June 30, 2020
I am so deeply shocked and saddened to just now learn of Lyndas passing. I first met Lynda when I was a young fitness instructor and dancer at 30 East 40th Street. Lynda was my student, but I truly learned much more from her about living life to its fullest and following your heart and your dreams. She continued her never ending support and love for me as I got married, had children, and traveled away from NYC. We didnt talk often, but she continued to be one of my biggest cheerleaders and very dear to my heart. I will miss her faithful calls and emails for every birthday and anniversary. She was one in a million and this world has lost one of its brightest lights. I love you, Lynda. I hope you and Marty are dancing in heaven together .
Posted by: Kristine Willis - , - June 30, 2020
I am so deeply shocked and saddened to just now learn of Lynda's passing. I first met Lynda when I was a young fitness instructor and dancer at 30 East 40th Street. Lynda was my student, but I truly learned much more from her about living life to its fullest and following your heart and your dreams. She continued her never ending support and love for me as I got married, had children, and traveled away from NYC. We didn't talk often, but she continued to be one of my biggest cheerleaders and very dear to my heart. I will miss her faithful calls and emails for every birthday and anniversary. She was one in a million and this world has lost one of its brightest lights. I love you, Lynda. I hope you and Marty are dancing in heaven together .
Posted by: Kristine Willis - New York, NY - June 30, 2020
We of the Da Capo Chamber Players deeply mourn the loss of Lynda, our wonderful publicist for more than 30 years. Imaginative, resourceful, careful and caring, she was a collaborator to dream of. Her publicity work alone was more than excellent. Beyond the publicity work she understood and shared the goals of the group, and gave us invaluable advice about developing and growing toward their realization. We owe her more than we could ever describe. The success of the Da Capo Chamber Players (now entering our 50th anniversary year) is certainly due in part to her superb professional and loving work for us.
Lynda will be forever missed, and her memory treasured in our hearts.
Posted by: Patricia Spencer - New York, NY - July 15, 2020
I am shocked and saddened to learn Lynda passed away. Lynda was my cousin. We were the same age and played together every day until we moved away. We kept in touch mainly through our mothers. We reconnected when each of cour parents passed away. We had long phone visits to catch up with our lives and share memories. Life takes us down different paths and we lost touch again in the last couple of years. Lynda was my first best friend and we got into a lot of mischief growing up. She was funny and very talented. I have such fond memories of us sitting at their kitchen table eating liverwurst sandwiches and putting on shows singing and dancing at our big family get togethers. I will miss you my dear cousin.
Posted by: Kathleen McConnell - Katy, TX - April 30, 2021
RIP. You sang at my wedding at St Bride on 6/14/69. I can still hear her beautiful voice.
Posted by: Kathy Ritter - New Lenox, IL - June 17, 2021
