Leone “Lee” Flake

Leone “Lee” Flake

Leone Ittmann Flake peacefully passed away in her home, on Monday, March 16th, 2020, surrounded by loved ones. Lee, as she was known by her friends, was a lifelong resident of the greater New Orleans area and was 82 years old. She was the only daughter of Alfred Charles Ittmann and Ione Mills Ittmann. Although she was born in New Orleans, she lived as a child in Burrwood, an uninhabited town located below Venice, before moving back to a “nicer home” on Carrollton Avenue. Lee graduated from Alcee Fortier High School in the same class as John Kennedy Toole.

Lee was a model in her youth and worked in the early days of television in New Orleans with actors such as Dick Van Dyke and Don Knotts. She completed her formal education at Dominican College with a master’s degree in special education. She always spoke of her students, “her other children”, whom she loved and whose lives she hoped to improve.

In what turned out to be the best choice of her life, Lee married her soulmate, Allen Oliver Flake, with whom she spent the rest of their lives together. She raised three children: Diana Flake Baker (James), Alan “Mark” Flake, Sr. (Michelle) and Wendy Flake DeBram (Johnny). Lee and Al enjoyed traveling to different and exotic places throughout the world. They cruised the world in locations from Alaska to the rivers of Europe and Asia. While in Rome, they dined with Alfredo as his guest. They enjoyed traveling with their daughters in order to take college courses in Innsbrook. They explored much of the United States, Canada and Mexico with numerous family expeditions undertaken in their Winnebago motor home. Many of these expeditions were made in convoys with their good friends, Gerry and Silvia Gaffney; Larry and Dixie Tanguis.

Lee enjoyed collecting antiques; including two 1950’s MGTDs with which she and Al won many trophies at British car shows. She was an avid LSU football fan who would not miss a game – especially when Joe “Burreaux” Burrow was playing. Lee contributed to many charities, individually and in conjunction with the Beta Sigma Phi, Preceptor Omicron Chapter sorority, of which she was president in 1984-85. She was politically active, usually voted early and rarely missed an election.

Lee had three grandchildren which she loved very much: James “Michael” Alan Baker (Amanda), Alan “Mark” Flake, Jr. and Sean Michael Flake.

Friends and relatives who wish to celebrate the life of Lee Flake are invited to attend the gathering at Greenwood Funeral Home, 5200 Canal Blvd., New Orleans, on March 20, 2020, starting at 12 o’clock, noon, followed by a celebratory service at 1pm. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery.

The family invites you to share fond memories, stories and thoughts online at www.greenwoodfh.com in the event that you are not feeling well or are concerned about your health considering the COVID – 19 virus.
 

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