Beatrice (Bebe) Fleiss Orzac (96) passed away on Sunday, September 12, 2021, in Chicago, IL. She was born on 12/28/24 in New York City to Dr. Israel and Charlotte Fleiss. In 1948, she married Edward S. Orzac, M.D. who passed away in 2012.
She was an award-winning journalist on Long Island as well as a renowned violin player who played in several local orchestras. She traveled and reported on her travels with her physician husband who taught at the University of Karnataka, India and with MedicoCare in Afghanistan. She was also a Board member of the Hewlett-Woodmere Center for Adult Life Enrichment. Her husband founded the Orzac Rehabilitation Center in Franklin Square, N.Y. that is part of the Northwell Hospital System.
After moving to Chicago in 2013, Bebe played first violin in the New Horizon’s String orchestra at the DePaul University Community Music program. She was also a member of the Governing Board of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Bebe is survived by her daughters, Caroline (Allen) Shoenberger, and Elizabeth Yelen. Her daughter, Virginia (Sol) Secemsky, pre- deceased her. She has seven grandchildren, Elisa Shoenberger- Priz, Dana Yelen Ladani, Tracey Yelen, James Yelen, Gina Shimojo, Brian Secemsky and Eric Secemsky , 10 great- grandchildren and her first cousin, James Salander, M.D.
The funeral was held Monday, September 13th. Memorial donations may be made in Beatrice’s name to the DePaul University Community Music Program and mailed to Community Music Division, 804 W. Belden Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, https://music.depaul.edu/cmd/Pages/support-community-music.aspx or Mujeres Latinas En Accion at 2124 W. 21st Place Chicago, Illinois 06008, https://mujeres-latinas-en-accion.networkforgood.com/projects/9825-mujeres-latinas-en-accion-general-operating-fund. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com and Boulevard Riverside Chapels. www.boulevardriversidechapel.com
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