Carlotta Margaret Yelenosky

Carlotta Margaret Yelenosky of Apopka, Florida, passed away peacefully with family by her side on January 22, 2024 at the age of 89. She was born in Nanty Glo, Pennsylvania on June 6, 1934, the daughter of John and Mary (Kaschalk) Stretchko. As a child, Carlotta enjoyed playing marbles, gardening, dressing up as a coal miner for Halloween, and engaging in hijinxs with her siblings.

Responsible as the day goes long, Carlotta strove to contribute to her coal-mining family, first by working in a brazier factory and then as a dental hygienist. Though quiet and respectful, Carlotta was a model of strength and forbearance, challenging her father, for whom she also cared; testing her math teachers; and providing for her parents and five siblings whether in the form of much needed new linoleum, a house telephone, or a family car. She enjoyed socializing, bowling, drinking tequila, dancing (polka, waltz, and jitterbug), decorating for holidays, and listening to music.

Carlotta met the love of her life, George Yelenosky, when he visited her dental office. They married on June 15, 1963 and began a 52 year-long life together taking them from Pennsylvania to North Carolina and finally to Orlando. Carlotta loved Florida’s sunshine and summer thunderstorms, citrus groves, and beaches. Besides vacationing in Englewood, FL and up north, Carlotta traveled to several countries, including Mexico, Spain, Japan, and China. Her boldest and most memorable adventure was a 2-month, 10,000+ miles, cross-country road trip in the summer of 1999 with George, her sister Thressa, and brother-in-law Joe.

Carlotta was a devout Catholic and an avid educator for 30+ years in both the private and public Orange County sector. She was the cornerstone of her family and her greatest joys, besides George and her three children, were her seven grandchildren and great grandchild, all of whom she loved individually and dearly. In addition to her parents, Carlotta was preceded in death by her husband, George; brothers, Sam (Francis) and Jack (John) Stretchko; sisters, Thressa Surdick and Marie Henry. She is survived by her sister, Pauline Mutchka; sister-in-law, Patricia Stretchko; and brother-in-law, Joseph Surdick; children, David (Clarinda), Stephanie, and Jennifer (Zachary); grandchildren, Devon (Kristen), Jenna, Jase, Mailyn, Cayden, Evelien, and Ethan; great-grandchild, Lowen; and many nieces and nephews.

Carlotta’s family extends many thanks to Susan McLaughlin and her team with “A Daughter’s Hand” along with the staff at Spring Hills Hunter’s Creek, especially the nurses and aides on the second floor, for their help in caring for Carlotta in some of the most difficult times of her life. Special thanks also to Father Angel Garcia of the Holy Cross Catholic Church who administered Carlotta her last rites.

The family welcomes memories about Carlotta to be shared at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/gotha-fl/carlotta-yelenosky-11640004. In lieu of flowers or other memorials, donations can be made through random acts of kindness or to the endeavor of the giver’s choice. Information about the memorial service and reception will be available at www.dignitymemorial.com.