Flaum, Lauren Reece

Lauren Reece Flaum, 52, devoted wife of Michael Flaum and loving mother of Georgia and Chester Flaum, died Monday, July 2, 2012. She had been living with breast cancer for 17 years and died at her home in Iowa City, surrounded by family. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 5, at Agudas Achim, 602 E. Washington St., Iowa City, with Rabbi Jeff Portman officiating. Burial will be at Agudas Achim Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Lauren Reece Flaum Terrace Fund and/or to Iowa City Hospice.

Lauren moved to Iowa City 24 years ago and quickly immersed herself in her community, serving as president of the ICCSD school board, president of the Agudas Achim Congregation and president of the Roosevelt Elementary PTO. Not only was Lauren a community builder, but she also helped build community institutions around Iowa City, including three new schools and a new synagogue for Agudas Achim Congregation.

Lauren also had many passions, which she shared generously with those around her. Having worked as the pastry chef to New York City Mayor Ed Koch, Lauren brought her culinary talents and love of the kitchen to her lucky family and Iowa City friends. A lifetime lover of the theater, Lauren directed several children's plays at the synagogue and Young Footliters. Lauren was a passionate fan of Lucinda Wiliams, following her around the country and attending dozens of concerts. Lauren was also an accomplished writer who focused much of her material on living with cancer. She has been published in the Christian Science Monitor, Redbook Magazine and A Cup of Comfort for Breast Cancer Survivors, among others.

She was born to Milton Reece and Evelyn Reece neé Horowitz on June 7, 1960, in East Meadow, N.Y. She graduated from East Meadow High School and received a bachelor's degree in studio art from Brown University. Her father, Milton, predeceased her earlier this year.

Lauren will be greatly missed by her husband, Michael; daughter, Georgia; son, Chester; mother, Evelyn; brother, Jesse; sister, Stephanie; mother-in-law, Joyce; brother-in-law, Stanley; sister-in-law, Peggy; aunt, Lil; cousins, Marsha, Joyce, Sharon, Arnold, Beth Anne, Marian, Sharman, Leslie, Sheldon and Shari; niece, Willy; nephews, Nolan, Nathan and Neville; as well as close friends in Iowa City and around the country.

Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral Service, where condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com

Published July 4, 2012 in The Gazette