Obituary: Betty Ellen Rickles

Betty Ellen Rickles (nee Goldsmith), 84, of Roswell, Ga., passed away on Nov. 1, 2023. A native of Washington, D.C., Betty met the love of her life, the late Irwin Rickles, who was serving in the Army at the time. After Irwin’s Army service, they married, had their first two children, and then moved to Atlanta, where Irwin took on a new role at Delta Air Lines and the couple welcomed two additional children. Betty’s life centered around her loving family and friends, synagogue engagement, the arts and travel. In addition to working for Rich’s, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, and the Art Institute of Atlanta, Betty was the model volunteer, assuming the titles of Room Mom, Team Mom, Band Mom, and Synagogue Trustee.

Along the way, she loved nothing more than spending time with her seven grandchildren, whether it was watching a swim meet, baseball game, dance recital, or band or orchestra concert, or simply getting together over some delicious Chinese food. Betty will be remembered for her tremendous courage to carry on as a single mother of four following the early death of Irwin, her caring nature, wonderful sense of humor and Anglophile tendencies expressed in her devotion to PBS’s “Masterpiece.”

In addition to Irwin, Betty is predeceased by her parents, Eva and Abe Goldsmith, her brother, Hank and sister-in-law, Eleanor Goldsmith, her brother, George, and sister-in-law, Sandra Goldsmith, and her brother, David Goldsmith. She is survived by her children, Stephanie Gang (Barry), Richard Rickles (Teresa), Rob Rickles (Ellen), and Laura Lehman (Michael), seven grandchildren, including Ilana Mintz (Yonatan), Matthew Gang (Traci), Andrew Lehman, Noah Rickles, Delaney Rickles, Mira Lehman, and Eli Rickles, as well as her sister-in-law, Joanne Goldsmith, Kelly and Bryan Fisher and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at Crest Lawn Memorial Park with Rabbi Zalman Charytan officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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