Matilda Ann Lenk

Dr. Matilda Lenk, a longtime New Britain resident and podiatrist with a practice on West Main Street until 1998, died on February 27 after a short illness. She was 92.

Dr. Lenk was born in Hartford, a daughter of Elizabeth and Frank Lenk, who emigrated from Lithuania in the 1910s. The family moved to New Britain in 1931, first living on Franklin Street, and then on Church Street, where they were parishioners at St. Andrew’s. Dr. Lenk attended St. Mary’s School and New Britain High School, and graduated from St. Joseph’s College in West Hartford before pursuing her podiatry degree at the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland. She was one of only ten women podiatrists in her graduating class of 1949, and became the youngest, and only woman podiatrist in New Britain when she opened her practice in 1950.  She spent the next 48 years caring for patients wherever they needed her—in her office, at hospitals and in nursing homes. She also made house calls to those who could not travel, gaining a reputation for compassion and dedication that was the hallmark of her professional life.

Dr. Lenk is survived by her daughters and their families: Elise Yablonski and Ralph Stone of New York, NY and Janice Yablonski-Hickey and Donald Hickey of Ridgewood, NJ; her grandchildren Daniel and Brian Stone and Sean and Clare Hickey; her sister Alberta Zita of Killingworth, brother John Lenk of Bristol, and sister Clare Boettcher of Phoenix, AZ, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Frances, Albert, and Edward Lenk and by Edward Yablonski of Erie, PA, from whom she was divorced.  The family gratefully acknowledges the compassionate care provided by her aide Eva Lukasiewicz, and by the staff at Jerome Home, where she lived since May.

There are no calling hours. Burial will take place on March 2 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery, New Britain.

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