Rebecca Miriam Odrezin

Rebecca Miriam Odrezin died on April 24, 2025, at age 72, at Azalea Manor Personal Care Home in Marietta, Georgia, while under hospice care.

Rebecca is survived by her sister, Rosalind Odrezin Horowitz (Don) of New Jersey; sister-in-law, Ellyn Goldstein Odrezin, of Atlanta; nieces Jill Horowitz (David Wood) of New Jersey; Heather Low (Jonathan) of Atlanta; nephews Louis Horowitz of North Carolina; Rabbi Gary Horowitz (Chava) of  Israel; and great nieces and nephews, Florie Low of Atlanta; Moria, Sara, Yona,Yair, Elkana Roi Horowitz, of Israel. Rebecca was predeceased by her parents, Sadie Lee Jacobs and Louis Arnold Odrezin; brothers,Theodore Odrezin and Dr. Murray Samuel Odrezin. 

Rebecca was born in Savannah, Georgia, where she grew up surrounded by many cousins and a loving family. She loved all animals, especially horses and dogs, and had her own horse as a teenager. She loved art her entire life and was always proud of the drawings she constantly made and gave away to everyone she met. She had been a preschool teacher before going on disability and frequently talked about teaching again. Her Jewish faith was always important to her. As a child and as a young adult, she was deeply affected by several tragedies in her life: her brother Theodore’s lifelong health issues; the death of her father when she was 6; her mother’s death being struck by a vehicle while walking on a sidewalk in Savannah; and her divorce. In 2018, after her family realized Rebecca could no longer safely live independently, her beloved brother, Murray, brought her to Atlanta to live in  a personal care home and to take over responsibility for her. Her beloved sister, Rosalind and brother-in-law, Don, had overseen her care for many years before that. Rosalind talked with Rebecca by telephone, daily, for decades, from New Jersey.

During her years at Azalea Manor, Rebecca, was cared for by a loving and attentive staff. She was treated with kindness and dignity, despite her many health challenges. Heartfelt thanks to the staff, especially during the  last several months. Although often confused, Rebecca continued to be enthusiastic with an outgoing and friendly personality. She was often singing and dancing in her wheelchair. Rebecca never stopped believing that she was going to return to Charleston to live and be with her long time boyfriend, Larry and other friends. Her dreams of a happy future sustained her as she remained hopeful that her cousins or her beloved Murray were coming any day to move her back there. Last May, when Murray was suddenly hospitalized and subsequently died 2 weeks later, his number one priority was that his sister, Rebecca, be provided for. Ellyn took that responsibility on to honor Murray, to ensure that Rebecca would continue to get the support Murray had provided as well as committed to weekly visits. A companion, Tammy, would visit with Rebecca if Ellyn was out of town and twice a month would take her to get her hair done, eat lunch out and do some shopping. Each time, it was a day Rebecca treasured. When that was no longer safe, Tammy would visit with Rebecca weekly. Tammy always treated Rebecca as a real person and validated her with conversation and compassion.

Burial will be graveside on Wednesday, April 30, at 2:00pm at the historic Bonaventure cemetery in Savannah, where Rebecca’s grandparents, parents, and brothers are.

Rabbi Robert Haas of Congregation Mickve Israel will officiate.  The service can be livestreamed on jewishfuneralcare.com. Shiva will be in Ridgewood, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation to Shalom Care at the Temple. Shalom Care is a mental health initiative focussed on supporting the mental well-being of the Temple community and beyond.

Funeral Service:
Wednesday, April 30th at 2:00 PM
Graveside at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah

Livestream Link:
Click HERE to view the livestream.

Memorial Donations:
Shalom Care with The Temple
Rabbi Lapidus's Discretionary Fund
589 Peachtree St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30309-2406