Cecile Yvonne Fleming

Mrs. Cecile Yvonne Dreyfus Fleming, 93, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2025, at home in Aiken, South Carolina, where she spent her last several years. She was the first born to young French immigrant parents Eugene and Lucille Dreyfus on July 9, 1931, in New York City. The family settled in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she grew up with her younger sister Lucienne who gave her the lifetime nickname of "Diddy".

While her parents ran a prominent and famed French restaurant in the city, she and her sister attended Ste Chretienne Academy boarding school in Salem, Massachusetts from early years through graduation in 1949. She cherished her memories of time spent helping at Chez Dreyfus on the weekends, learning from her parents' culinary talents, and spending time with regulars and a variety of distinguished guests. She left the Boston area to attend Trinity College in Washington, DC, graduating in May of 1953.

After graduating, she met her future husband, Robert "Bob" Fleming, and his identical twin Mike, during a visit to the Cape, when the brothers were stationed in DC with the Navy. They became quite the trio in DC social circles and beyond. With her European heritage, and fluency in French and German, she became a Pan American flight attendant before marrying Bob in 1954.

Once married, she and Bob lived in Washington, DC; Alexandria, VA; Charleston, SC and Munich and Hamburg, Germany, before returning to Annandale, VA to begin the next chapter after Bob's US Navy career. Cecile was the ultimate entertainer and hostess and cherished her tours overseas, which enabled her to be close to her European family. She excelled in preparing and hosting scores of grand parties and receptions for visiting naval officers, and other consulate guests overseas. She never met a stranger and was always smiling and having fun.

They both were very active in the Northern Virginia community where they would live for more than four decades throughout their 57 years of marriage until Bob's passing in 2010. She was passionate about the Opera and the Washington Redskins, never passed up an adventure, and loved to dress for the occasion. At home, music, singing and gardening were at the top of her list.

Her love for Pan American Airlines continued in a leadership role in the "World Wings International" chapter for the Washington metro area, and extended to working in airport customer service for the shuttle when it became operational from 1986 to 1991, and flying on the last shuttle to NY. Cecile also provided private foreign language tours of the nation's capital, and enjoyed some substitute teaching. In addition, she was an active member and leader of the women's Salvation Army auxiliary, including many hours of annual bell ringing even after her move to Aiken. She became a Rotarian after her husband served as President and District Governor in the seventies, once women were admitted in the eighties. Cecile later became a member of Aiken Rotary, alongside her daughter, in 2018. Along with her husband Bob, Cecile built friendships and extensively traveled the globe never missing Rotary conventions, regardless of where they were held.

In 2018 she left the Washington Metro Area and relocated to Aiken, SC to live at the farm of her daughter, Andrea, and granddaughter, Kristina, quite a contrast to city life. Her love of the animals, especially of her adored dog "Mac" and the horses, brought her joy every day. She reveled in weekly outings with her youngest granddaughter, Kristina, which included frequent trips to support the animals at the shelter.

She will be missed by so many that were impacted by her positive spirit, and life mantra of "Yes, I can. Yes, I can", which guided her daily. Heartfelt gratitude to all of her loyal and loving caregivers whom she cherished.

Survived by her younger daughter, Carolyn (Tom) in Atlanta, and her grandchildren Tyler in Birmingham, and Morgan in San Diego, and her older daughter Andrea and granddaughter Kristina in Aiken, SC, as well as cousins Jacque, Elizabeth, Richard and Marie-Claire overseas and Jean-Marie in Chicago, along with their families.

A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Monday, January 27, 2025, at Old Historic St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Church, 125 Park Ave., SE, Aiken, SC 29801, with Father Orlando Serrano Ardila as celebrant.Honorary Pallbearers will be members of The Aiken Rotary Club. A reception will follow at The Willcox immediately following the mass.

A graveside service will be celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA on May 19, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Attendees for services at Arlington National Cemetery should arrive 45 minutes before the scheduled time via Memorial Avenue. Gate guards will direct you to parking, and you'll then proceed to the Administration Building. You will then be directed to line up for the procession to the gravesite. Remember to have valid photo identification for entry.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to the Aiken Rotary Foundation - Polio Plus Fund, PO Box 685, Aiken, SC 29802 (aikenrotaryclub.org) and the Alzheimer's Foundation, 322 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001 (alz.org).

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com