Mrs. Rita Frances Krinsky

Rita was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1956.  She was raised by her mother, Big Rita, in Westin, Connecticut, spending summers in Puerto Rico with her father and brother.  Rita’s second home was found in the Jackson Family, of which Laura Davis(Jackson) and her three sisters, were her salvation and home away from home.  Rita departed Connecticut to study childhood education at the University of Vermont in Burlington.  There she met the love of her life Fred Krinsky.  They met through their mutual friend, Andy Zins, who dragged Fred over to Rita’s house to copy class notes because they were “having trouble getting to class.”  

Ultimately Fred and Rita went their separate ways after college: Rita moving to Highgate, Vermont, close to the Canadian border, to teach elementary school, and Fred moving home to Atlanta.  But the two just could not quit each other, and after Fred asked, Rita moved to Atlanta.  Fred and Rita had a lot of fun, going out in Atlanta, living behind the record shop on Peachtree Street, hanging out with many of the Margaret Mitchell Atlanta crew.  In Atlanta, Rita met Denny Marcus, who would become a lifelong friend and confidant.  In 1982 Rita and Fred got married, and in 1983 welcomed Harley in to the world, Erin in ’87, and Jules in ‘88.  Rita stopped teaching elementary school and got into teaching exercise classes (remember Australian Bodyworks?!), it was the 80’s!  Rita loved her family and busied herself with her children, her new found religion, Judaism, and the large extended Krinsky Family.  Rita went back to teaching, teaching preschool and being the librarian at Temple Sinai.  Rita loved her Atlanta Community, but in 2012, her and Fred started their next big adventure, moving to Savannah, where they built a crazy, busy, eclectic community of synagogue goers, country clubbers, water aerobic enthusiasts, Majongers, heavy metal musicians, bartenders, construction crews, and Daufuskie Island Renegades.  There was never a dull moment, or a location that she could not bike or boat to.  Life was full and fun.

Rita was a lover of games, and had a very competitive spirit.   Her children often lament that when they were young, she never let them win a game of monopoly - relishing in taking their money until they were bankrupt.  She loved word games, Bananagrams, Words with Friends, Boggle, Spot It, and anything that challenged the mind.  Like a nice Jewish Girl, she took up Majong, and over the years had many regular games and played with many wonderful women.  Rita relished hosting family and friends, not fearing hosting 20+ people in her home on a whim.  Rita loved a buttery Chardonnay.  Rita was an avid reader, and a devout library patron, loving to read historical fiction novels and female authors.

Rita was one of a kind.  She had great hair, that even cancer could not rob her of.  She was confident and knew what she liked.  She was deftly honest and direct, which many loved her for, and some may have not.  Regardless, one knew where one stood with her.  You knew you were getting a dose of reality if she began or ended a sentence with “in all charity,” or “bless their heart.”

In 2018, Rita was diagnosed with a rare cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma.  She was given 4-6 months to live, but as always she defied the odds and lived for another 5 years 9 months.  In that time, she lived to watch her remaining two unmarried children get married, two additional grandchildren be born, travel, live through a pandemic (during which she went to the grocery store every day), and truly live life to its fullest.  She was full of life and a will to live.  In the end she passed at home, surrounded by her family and friends.

Rita was predeceased by her parents, Rita Gleason and Frank Gleason.

Rita is survived by her husband, Fred Krinsky; her children Harley Krinsky, Erin Krinsky, and Jules Krinsky; daughters-in-laws, Casey Krinsky and Linley Krinsky; son-in-law Kevin Ross; her honorary daughter, Niece Jamie Krinsky; grandchildren, River, Ryder, and Rip; her brother, Jim Gleason; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews; and other family whom she loved.

Rita and her family are forever in debt to for the hundreds of people across the country who provided care and treatment throughout this process, including but not limited to  MD Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Winship Cancer Institute at Emory, Dr. Christopher Crane, Dr. Stephen Malone, and Dr. Morris Geffen, who all played an integral part in her care and kicking the can down the road – a mantra Rita and her family adopted during her battle.  

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 6:00 PM at Congregation Mickve Israel, with a celebration of Rita’s life to follow.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any rare cancer research of your choosing.