Rebecca Ann Fleischman

Rebecca Ann Lacy Fleischman, life-long educator and resident of Decatur, GA, passed away on December 3, 2018 at the age of 91. It was nearly 32 years to the day after she lost her loving husband, Fred S. Fleischman.

Rebecca was known for the last 27 years as “Ree,” so named by her granddaughter when Lacy was unable to pronounce her full name. Ree is survived by her children, Scott and Jan (Bedol), their spouses, Susan and Gregg, and her 4 grandchildren, Lacy, Hallie, Carson, and Christopher.

Ree was born in Atlanta on April 5, 1927 to Lealon Lacy and Martha Opal Livsey. She attended Ponce de Leon Elementary School and Decatur Girls High School then received her undergraduate degree in 1948 from Agnes Scott College, but not without last-minute trauma. It seems there was a swimming requirement for graduation, which Ree had avoided. At the last minute, Ree (literally) ran from her home on Lamont Drive in Decatur to the Agnes Scott campus, jumped in the pool, swam her lap, and graduated. Ree attended her Agnes Scott 70th class reunion earlier this year.

After a few years of teaching, Ree decided to explore the world and signed up to teach on an army base in Germany. Trunk and luggage shipped, she was all ready to go – and then met Fred. He decided he didn’t want to risk Ree going to Germany. Instead, within a month, on August 8, 1954, they married. She returned to teach in Decatur. Later, Ree earned her Masters in the Art of Teaching (MAT) from Emory University and Masters in Special Education from Georgia State.

Ree was a life-long teacher and learner. She taught in the Decatur school system her entire career, first as a classroom teacher, then the 1st principal of Westchester Elementary School, math specialist, and then Director of Special Education. She retired in 1986 after 35 years.

The plan after retirement was to travel with her husband, but that was not to be. Instead, Ree traveled the world with friends and family, spent time with her children and grandchildren, knitted, sewed, and read incessantly (especially her beloved Agatha Christie and historical biographies). She also enjoyed sharing her vocabulary, math and trivia knowledge.

She was quiet and strong, loving and gentle, always supportive in her own way. Ree was quick to correct your grammar and loved discussing her favorite topics from American History, especially Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. While she did some worrying herself, not long after Jan and Gregg married, Ree gave Gregg a very special birthday present. It was a rocking chair, and a pillow that she had needlepointed with the following life lesson: “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but doesn’t get you anywhere.”

Rebecca was baptized as an infant at Decatur Presbyterian Church and remained a member there her entire life. She was a constant in the congregation for as long as she was able, and participated actively in church programs. She will be deeply missed by her friends, family, and all who knew her.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 8 at Decatur Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to either Decatur Presbyterian Church or Decatur Cooperative Ministry.

Feel free to leave the family your condolences via the guestbook provided.