Dorothea Selma (Weiss) Szczesniak (March 22, 1929 - June 18, 2026) was a powerful force

throughout her 97 years.

Born in Berlin in 1929, fleeing to Belgium in 1943, she survived the holocaust with her sister

Daisy. Sadly, her parents did not.

She was training to be an operatic singer when she met her husband, Orest. They sailed to

the USA in 1953 with their infant son, Michel. Four years later, Katherine was born.

Dorothea continued to sing while caring for her children and eventually worked as a

teacher’s aide at Huntington High School on Long Island. After retiring, they moved to

Honesdale, PA. She became an active member of the synagogue and the community,

volunteering at the library and baking many a delicious apple cake. One of her greatest joys

and calling was being a speaker at the yearly holocaust symposium in Scranton.

She was an adoring grandmother, and a favorite aunt to her nieces and nephews, both here

and in Belgium. She is predeceased by her parents, Karl and Berta (Lipschutz), husband

Orest, beloved son Michel, and sister Daisy. She is survived by her daughter, Katherine

(Nancy Reichenbach), her daughter-in-law, Gisèle, and her four grandchildren, Lev, Antoine

(Megha Goel), Gabriel, and Sophie (Jeff Cato).

The family is eternally grateful for all the caring friends and neighbours, namely Robin, Jim,

Pat, David, and many others, who, over the years, made it possible for Dorothea to remain in

her home, attend temple, concerts, and travel to Canada to visit family. Thank you to Rabbi

Kleinman and the congregation for their love and spiritual support.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Congregation Beth Israel of Honesdale or

the Honesdale Public Library.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Congregation Beth Israel, Court St., Honesdale.