Rachel (Allen) Fagerburg, a woman with a sharp intellect, quiet resilience, generous heart and deep devotion to family and friends, Rachel (née Allen) Fagerburg passed away November 13, 2021, at the age of 92 with family by her side. Rachel was ahead of her time in so many respects. Born on July 10, 1929, to Lila (née Hammett) and Charles D. Allen of Garden City, New York, she was an early academic standout. She graduated from Garden City High School with an embarrassment of honors and awards and went on to attend Wellesley College where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1951 with degrees in mathematics and physics.
In the fall of 1951, Rachel married Dewey Frank Fagerburg and together they had five daughters. After the marriage ended, she raised the girls independently and watched each of them grow into happy, strong, accomplished women. Four of the daughters rose to professional levels in the classical music field, and one of Rachel’s greatest pleasures was listening to her girls play as a quartet at family gatherings. The fifth daughter became an educator and 26-time Boston Marathon runner for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
In 1971, Rachel earned her masters degree in education from Cleveland State University and began teaching math at Laurel School, a college preparatory school for girls in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Her enthusiasm for teaching and talent for creating a warm and supportive learning environment made her a student favorite for more than 20 years. She instilled in hundreds of girls a strong belief in their abilities and value as independent thinkers and problem-solvers.
Upon retiring from teaching, Rachel moved back full-time to her cherished family summer home in Sagamore Beach on Cape Cod where she could be found most weekends on her porch conquering the New York Times crossword puzzle. In her 70s, she reconnected with a childhood friend, Malcolm "Mac" Banks, who became the love of her life, proving it’s never too late to live your best life. The two shared nearly 15 joyful years traveling around the world and enjoying summers on the Cape where they swam in the brisk waters of the Atlantic well into their 80s.
Rachel was predeceased by her two parents and brother Charles and is survived by her long-time companion Mac, devoted daughters Karin Fagerburg, Anne (Morris) Jacob, Ruth (Frederick) Schipizky, Rachel Fagerburg (Will Hudgins) and Sarah (Brian) Nixon, as well as six adoring grandchildren Anton, Paul, Leah, Katharine (Steve), Brian and Hannah.
A celebration of Rachel’s life with family and friends will be planned on Cape Cod in the summer of 2022. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to The Alzheimer's Association or the Senior Behavioral Health Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth.