In loving memory of
Rachel Aikman
January 23, 1938 - June 16, 2018
Rachel Bitton Aikman, 79, died Saturday, June 16, 2018 at Elmcroft Senior Living Center in Lake Jackson, Texas following a very brave battle with Alzheimer's.
Rachel leaves her son William F. Leitch and her daughter-in-law Denise Leitch; grandchildren, Marlena Hedine, Ryan Leitch and Lauren Piwonka; great-grandchildren, Ryleigh & Brooklyn Hedine and Madison Browning. Her brother Samy Bitton, sister, Flory Leibovitch, brother, Haim Bitton and sister-in-law Margaret, and sister, Michele Michonne along with several loving nieces and nephews.
Born in French Morocco, the daughter of Shimon and Hester Bitton; Rachel moved to the United States and lived in Indiana, she later move and lived the majority of her life in San Diego, CA, where she resided until moving to Texas to be close to her son and his family when her disease progressed.
Rachel was a career Air Force wife and lived in many interesting and beautiful places. She worked a variety of on base jobs with her favorite one being the CEO club in Hawaii; she was able to meet many popular entertainers including one of her favorites Tom Jones. After settling down in San Diego, Rachel began her long career in banking; she excelled as the chief teller for the same bank during her 25+ years there. Meeting and helping new people propelled her after retirement, to begin her next job housing foreign exchange students. This was a true labor of love for Rachel; she had students from Switzerland, Japan and many countries live in her home while they learned English at a local college in San Diego. These students became her "children", she cooked, cleaned and cared for them while they lived in our country, she was their "Mother" and since she spoke French fluently had many students she could converse with.
Rachel loved to dance, travel and she enjoyed going to the theater watching live plays and stage productions. She always dressed beautifully and loved pretty clothes and shoes. Gardening was also something Rachel really enjoyed, she had a "green thumb" and with the San Diego weather, something she could do on a daily basis. Tending her plants truly brought her joy and she also loved the exercise and being in nature. Her great-grandchildren brought her the most happiness. Seeing them play and smile made her so happy, during her last months she treasured seeing the girls, expected a kiss on each cheek and really loved watching them dancing, blowing bubbles and playing together.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Alzheimer's Cure; this is a disease that robs a person of the most important things; their memories and then their life.