Obituary: Lenore Tetkowski

1923-2024

Lenore Tetkowski passed away peacefully at her home on Grand Island on the Fourth of July, 2024.

In 1944, she graduated from Newark State Teachers College where she met her husband, Dr. Clement Tetkowski. After World War II, they moved to Grand Island, where Clem began his 36-year career at Buffalo State College. The young couple designed and built their original mid-century modern home after having personally visited Frank Lloyd Wright in 1947.

Clem and Lenore initiated the Siena Program with Buffalo State College. The program continued for 58 years, giving American students a life-changing opportunity to live with an Italian family for an immersive semester abroad.

The Grand Island community knew Lenore best as “Mrs. T,” the art teacher who taught several generations of students the joy of creativity and travel. She was a very special woman who wove beauty into many people’s lives.

Lenore believed strongly in public education and was an activist for social change. She was not afraid to protest, or travel to Albany when she saw fit to get the personal attention of state legislators. She encouraged so many to be involved in the world of politics and, in the early ’60s, she led the way in the movement to build the high school on Grand Island.

For decades, “Lee” was the chair of UNICEF on Grand Island and, for over 50 years, an active member of the League of Women Voters. Everywhere she went her presence loomed large. For many years, she was an active member of the Weavers Guild of Buffalo, most recently featuring her artwork in a 2023 exhibition titled “Lenore and More.”

Lenore is survived by her children: Diane (Ronald) Pokorski, and Neil (Olga) Tetkowski; by her grandchildren: Nicole (Phillip) Patterson, Ryan Miller, Heidi (Monte) Bogatz, Kristina (Sean) Murphy and Alexander (Kayleigh) Berkley; by 11 great-grandchildren; and by one great-great-grandchild. Lenore was preceded in death by her daughter, Mira (Jack) Berkley, and by a grandson, Jory Berkley.

Lenore lived a long and impressive life of 101 years. She picked a great day to celebrate her transition, and will always be remembered with fireworks on the Fourth of July.

A public celebration of life will take place at 2 p.m. Oct. 19, followed by a reception at the Burchfield-Penney Art Center. Friends, family, former students and the general public are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations gratefully accepted in support of the Tetkowski Family Endowment at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, 1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, New York, 14222.