Obituary: Cecile Felsenthal Prager
Cecile Felsenthal Prager, born Dec. 25, 1939, in Memphis, Tenn., passed away peacefully at her home on May 6, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Cecile Felsenthal Prager, born Dec. 25, 1939, in Memphis, Tenn., passed away peacefully at her home on May 6, 2025, surrounded by her family. Cecile was a wonderful daughter, sister, friend, wife, partner, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Nothing brought Cecile more joy than her six grandchildren. Family was everything to Cecile, so she moved from her beloved Memphis after the death of her husband to Atlanta to be near the grandchildren. She loved being involved in their lives and her grandchildren adored having her nearby.
A graduate of Tulane University and the University of Memphis, Cecile was a longtime educator with a specialty in reading. She was always a teacher at heart. Cecile taught thousands of people to read. Her favorite moments came when she taught an adult, particularly a senior citizen, to read for the first time. She worked for several non-profits including Memphis Partners and Junior Achievement as well as volunteering with the NCJW. In 2018, Reach Memphis honored Cecile for her work with Memphis Prep and recognized the key role she played in building the program. In Atlanta, Cecile was an active volunteer with LaAmistad and The Temple.
Jewish life and Judaism were especially important to Cecile. Upon moving to Atlanta, she began teaching first grade at The Temple’s religious school. In doing so, she was able to have four of her six grandchildren as students over the years. Cecile partook in the Melton Institute courses at The Temple and MJCCA as well as studying for and becoming a bat mitzvah through The Temple. Additionally, Cecile served on the board of directors for both The Temple and Temple Israel in Memphis.
Cecile was preceded in death by her husband, Beirne M. Prager, Jr. She is survived by her children, Lynn (Barry) Deutsch, Susan (Brian) Banner, and Nancy Prager; her grandchildren, Ben (Sophie), Michael, and Rebecca (Brandon Alaniz) Deutsch, and Bradley, Henry, and Anna Banner; and one great-grandchild. She is also survived by her brother, Eddie (Gloria) Felsenthal; her partner, Dr. Elliott Goldstein; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Cecile embraced the motto, “Bloom Where You Are Planted,” and she truly lived by it — thriving in both Memphis and Atlanta and enriching the lives of all who knew her.
Donations in Cecile’s memory can be made to The Temple’s Bremen’s Education Center Fund at https://www.the-temple.org/tribute-funds.
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