Flavia Velico

Born on July 26, 1953, in Bucharest, Romania, to Aurel Radulescu and Eugenia Andrei, Flavia came of age behind the Iron Curtain during a period of profound political and social constraint. A gifted student with a passion for languages, literature, and the wider world, she dreamed of a life beyond the borders that defined her youth.

In the early 1980s, she made the difficult decision to leave Romania and seek refuge in the United States. It was a journey marked by uncertainty and sacrifice. Returning home was not a simple option for those who left, and the life she built in America came at the cost of leaving much of her former world behind. Yet she embraced the opportunity to begin again, believing deeply in the promise of a freer future and the possibilities it might one day offer the family she hoped to build.

On May 23, 1989, Flavia proudly became a citizen of the United States, a milestone she regarded as one of the great accomplishments of her life.

Her love of language became her profession. Fluent in English, Romanian, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French, she built a distinguished career in publishing and editorial work. She served as Chief Editor at Value Line, one of the nation’s most respected financial publications, helping oversee reporting on the movements of the New York Stock Exchange during an era when information traveled far more slowly than it does today.

For many years she made her home in the greater New York metropolitan area before eventually trading snowy winters for the warmth and sunshine of South Florida. She settled in Deerfield Beach in 2006, where she continued her editorial work while enjoying a slower pace of life, the nearby ocean, and the comforts of home.

Flavia possessed a lifelong affection for books and could rarely be found without one nearby. A voracious reader, she moved comfortably between the great works of classical literature and the latest mystery novel. She was endlessly fascinated by language, ideas, history, and culture, carrying with her a curiosity that never diminished.

Animals occupied a special corner of her heart, particularly cats. She lovingly cared for Kitty, a cherished companion for more than a decade, and found equal joy in feeding birds and welcoming the wildlife that regularly visited her yard. She believed that even the smallest creatures deserved kindness.

Above all, Flavia took great pride in her son, Daniel. The future she imagined when she left Romania ultimately found its fullest expression in him. The keepsakes displayed throughout her home - collected over the years from his travels, accomplishments, and adventures - served as quiet reminders that the future she had hoped to create had become a reality.

Flavia is survived by her son, Daniel Velicu, and by Victoria, Daniel’s fiancée, whom she warmly welcomed into her heart. Of Victoria, she often remarked with characteristic simplicity and certainty, “You picked a good one.”

She will be remembered for her sharp intellect, her love of literature and language, her compassion for animals, and the courage it took to leave one life behind in order to create another.

In accordance with her wishes, Flavia will be cremated and her ashes scattered at sea. Ever practical, she left Daniel one final instruction regarding the occasion: “be mindful of the wind.”

Memorial arrangements will be announced at a later date.