Obituary of Flavia Ormiston Witte

FLAVIA ORMISTON ELLIS WITTE, age 99, a 31-year resident of Spring House Estates in Lower Gwynedd and formerly of the Logan Section of Philadelphia, died on January 11, 2013. She was the wife of the late Herman Witte, until his death in 1987. Born in Philadelphia on November 15, 1913, she was the daughter of the late James Duncan Ellis and the late Emily Elizabeth Ormiston Ellis. Mrs. Witte was educated in the Philadelphia Public Schools starting in Kindergarten and graduated from Simon Gratz High School in 1932. As a child, she spent her summers on a large family farm south of Doylestown. This is where she learned her love of horses for horseback riding and for work on the farm. Mrs. Witte graduated from the Philadelphia Normal School in 1935, where she was the recipient of five awards including a four year scholarship to Temple University. She earned a B.S. Education in from Temple University in 1939 and also earned M.Ed. from Temple University in 1944. In 1956, she received her Principal Certification, with highest honors, from the Philadelphia School District. Mrs. Witte taught in the Philadelphia School District for 22 years and was an Elementary School Principal for more than 10 years. In 1935, she began her teaching career at Hawthorne School. She later she taught at Ludlow School, Bache School and at Creighton School. She was Principal of Horn-Martin School, Sartain School and in 1959 became Principal at McDaniel's School. She retired in July of 1967. She was a member of the N.E.S., P.S.E.A., Philadelphia Teachers Association and P.A.S.R. In her retirement, Mrs. Witte never gave up her desire to encourage young people to continue their education and to use their talents and ambition to attain their goals. A number of her former students kept in contact with her all of her life. Several became teachers and used her as their mentor. She was a member of All Hallows Episcopal Church, since her confirmation in 1973. She was a choir member and a member of the Women's Auxiliary in earlier years. Mrs. Witte was a former member of the Philadelphia Matinee Musical Club and of the Philadelphia Branch of the American Association of University Women. She was a member of the Women's Club of Wyncote for 40 years where she served on their Executive Committee and was their History Chairman for 18 years. She was still active although "Emeritus". In 1998, she was instrumental in organizing the History of the Woman's Club of Wyncote. With the fine work of the committees under her guidance, the History Books evolved over the many years of the existence of this prestigious organization and will help to preserve the important events for the posterity of the Wyncote area with pictures, programs, activities and comments. As a young woman, Mrs. Witte was a member of the American Women's Volunteer Services. During World War II, she was responsible for taking Naval Officers, who were not familiar with Philadelphia, to various assignments and transportation facilities. Mrs. Witte enjoyed traveling and visited many states in the United States. She also traveled to Ireland, British Isles, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Egypt, Norway- Sweden, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Caribbean Islands, Panama Canal and Venezuela. Four trips to Ireland were devoted to finding the genealogy of grandparents from Co.Wexford. She is survived by her cousins and relatives of the Witte family, living in distant states, and many dear friends. A viewing will be held from 9:00 - 10:30 AM on Friday, January 18, 2013, Baron Rowland Funeral Home, 1059 Old York Road, Abington. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 18, 2013, All Hallows, Episcopal Church, 262 Bent Road (at Greenwood Avenue) Wyncote, PA. Interment will be in Westminster Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to All Hallows Episcopal Church, 262 Bent Road, Wyncote, Pa 19095.