Saratoga Springs, NY – Rita S. Fischer passed away peacefully on June 17, 2024 after succumbing to a sudden loss of consciousness that morning. Her husband of 56 years, son, daughter, and some close friends and relatives were by her side during that day. Rita was born January 15, 1947 in Troy, NY to the late Edwin and Gladys Weinberg. She attended Shaker Ridge High School, SUNY at Buffalo, and SUNY at Albany.

Living in various parts of the Capital District, Rita was a member of various Jewish congregations, the latest being Congregation Shaara Tfille in Saratoga Springs. Rita along with her husband, Michael, were youth group advisers in the early 70's. In recent years, Rita was actively supporting activities at Congregation Shaara Tfille including weekly BINGO and an Over- 50 Senior group.

Outside of her family, Rita's love in life was her teaching career, first in the Schenectady School District and finally in the Shenendehowa School District. At Shenendehowa, Rita was an active officer of the Shenendehowa Teachers' Union, where the Superintendent called her a 'telephone pole' for her unbending demands for teacher working conditions. Rita loved teaching her students so much, that she was sad at the end of each school year. She missed teaching in years of retirement, although she did not miss the emphasis on quantifying student progress, 'modernization' of teaching methods, and most recently, Chrome Books.

Rita enjoyed her family trips to Cape Cod, Maine, and camping in the Adirondacks. Camping included the Lake George Islands, traveling in a two man Klepper Kayak with gear and two young children. Almost a decade was spent on Lake George on a 22' Tanzer sailboat. During the first high wind experience, when the mainsail needed reefing, Rita's husband screamed "take the tiller". Rita's response was "what's the tiller'. As her children grew up, Rita planned most of the oversea trips to Mexico, England, France, French Polynesia, and the Galapagos Islands as well as trips to National Parks and a few cruises through the Caribbean. Hesitant to travel during the pandemic, road trips to visit relatives in Virginia Beach and Long Beach Island were pleasant alternatives.

Survivors include her 2 children, Adam of Saratoga Springs, NY and Jennifer of Clifton Park, NY and her husband of 56 years (as of June 16, 2024), Michael D. Fischer.

A funeral will be held at Congregation Shaara Tfille at 84 Weibel Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY on Friday, June 21, 2024 starting at 11:00 a.m. with a meal of comfort to follow.

Memorial contributions in Rita's name may be made to; Congregation Shaara T'Fille, 84 Weibel Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or to the Michael J.  Fox Foundation, michaeljfox.org