Sally Fleming
Sally (Aldyth Louise) Fleming, wife of former U-M president Robben W. Fleming, died April 15 in Naples, Fla., with family at her side. She was 87.
A memorial service in her honor was scheduled for April 23 at the First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor.
Born in 1917 in Beloit Wis., she grew up in Rockford, Ill., and attended Beloit College, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and met her husband. They married in 1942.
Fleming partnered with her husband in his professional positions at the universities of Illinois, in the law school; Wisconsin, where he was chancellor; and
U-M, where Robben Fleming served as president from 1968-79, and as interim president in 1988. She orchestrated countless dinners, luncheons and receptions, planned other events associated with Big 10 university leadership, and traveled extensively.
In 1997, the Sally Fleming Master Classes at the School of Music were endowed in her honor. Fleming played violin in orchestras and smaller ensembles in Urbana-Champaign, Ill., Madison, Wis., and Ann Arbor. She volunteered as a literacy tutor, worked with Youth for Understanding, and delivered meals-on-wheels. She was an active in her church and was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She also enjoyed painting watercolors, knitting and interior design.
Survivors include her husband of 63 years; three children, Nancy Reckord (Josh) of Tokyo, Japan; Jim Fleming (Evey) of Madison; and Betsy (J.P.) DiMaggio of Saline; a sister, Tone (Bruce) Ferry of Laguna Hills,
Calif.; five grandchildren, Rachel and Eben Reckord, Benjamin (Sarah) Fleming, and Dana and Jim DiMaggio; and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Sally Fleming Master Classes, School of Music, 1100 Baits Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104.
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