Obituary of Rebecca Yomtov Hauser
Rebecca Yomtov Hauser, 95, passed away peacefully at home on April 16th. She is survived by her children Edward (Deborah), Bonnie, and Mark (Kathleen) Hauser, grandchildren Brian, Matthew and Michael Hauser, and Laura Hauser O’Keefe (Tom), and great grandson Arthur O’Keefe. She is preceded in death by husband Manny Hauser.
A graveside service was held on Wednesday April 18th, 11:00 AM at Judea Reform Cemetery, 2560 Jones Ferry Road, Chapel Hill. The family received visitors on Tuesday April 17th from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Walker Funeral Home, 120 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill.
Rebecca was born in Ioaninna Greece, in a Romanoite Jewish community. She was one of two thousand Ioaninna Jews deported to Auschwitz in 1944. She was the only survivor from her immediate family.
Rebecca came to the United States in 1947, where she met her husband, married and raised a family. She lived in New York, Florida, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro. She worked as an assistant designer and sample maker. She made elegant dresses and gowns fit beautifully at Tyler House and Fine Feathers of Chapel Hill. She loved gardens, the beach and anything family.
In recent years, Rebecca became known for her work with the Chapel Hill-Durham Holocaust Speakers Bureau. Through this work, Rebecca shared her personal experience with thousands of students, teachers and parents. Amidst the horrors of the Holocaust, she reminded young people to love America, focus on the positives, and to take responsibility for creating a better world.
Rebecca was deeply moved by disabled American and Israeli veterans who suffer a lifetime of hardships for the benefit of others. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to “Disabled American Veterans” or “Friends of Israel Disabled Veterans - Beit Halochem”.
Rebecca will be most remembered for her joy of spirit, and her ability to move past difficulties to find laughter and love. She leaves us with a favorite expression that she used often: “be well, do well and have fun”.
