"The song has ended, but the melody lingers on"  Irving Berlin

Deborah Ellen Fleischman, actor, costume designer, and director, has left the stage she graced for a lifetime. Those who loved Deborah know that she had a song in her heart and on her lips most all the time.  Her final exit was a quiet one on the evening of September 2, 2025, in the loving care of Annie and Tony and with her close family at her side. The audience who loved her extends countless rows, filled with thousands who wish to applaud a thunderous curtain call.

Deborah was born in Dayton, Ohio, on January 2, 1953, to Ralph and Joanne Fleischman, the oldest of eight children. Her life was devoted to the love and care of her family, which included many precious nieces and nephews. Her family also extended far beyond the open doors of her home to the Academy for Academics and Arts (AAA) family, and her Birmingham Children's Theatre and Independent Musical Productions families. It was one of her greatest pleasures to devote her time and endless talents to actors, young and old, her children in the classroom, and her friends throughout the community. Debbie served as the Drama Instructor, Director and Founder of the Academy Children's Theatre (ACT) and the Academy Stars and Clowns performing troupes.

On the broader stage, Deborah performed nationally and directed, designed, and authored several selected shows performed at the Kennedy Center – Washington DC. Closer to home, Deborah delighted in one of her starring roles as Dolly Levy on stage at the VBC. She was comfortable surrounded by yards and yards of fabric, sequins and trim, sewing costumes she created for countless delightful performances and shows. And, best of all, she was in her element and very much in control, standing in the back of the Fleischman Theatre as the curtains opened for more than twenty-five years of Academy Children's Theatre productions. She retired from Huntsville City Schools as the amazingly talented, hard-working Theatre Artist in Residence and Educator for the Academy for Academics and Arts.

Stars, Clowns, Mr. Grumpy's Toy Shoppe cast of thousands, teachers, parents, and our community… everyone loved Debbie Fleischman and admired her marvelous talents. Many have stories of how this wonderful redhead impacted their lives long past the time of their work together. Deborah opened the Academy for Academics and Arts in 1984 with the children's theatre production of Winnie the Pooh, establishing the Academy Clowns to promote a new Huntsville Public Library, and bringing the magic to a brand-new magnet school.

Though it has been some time since we have been together, we can remember her talent, love, and devotion with a quote from Winnie the Pooh, "But the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I'll always be with you." Her family and friends will remember the fun standing around the piano, singing with Ralph and Joanne the songs that brought joy for a lifetime. If you knew Debbie, you knew her Irish heritage, her heartfelt opening of Christmas in Killarney, and how to sing every lyric and perform every choreographed motion that created magic throughout the entire AAA auditorium - bonding generations of students with a joy that is immeasurable and everlasting. Her talent for decorating for the holidays, school dances, and especially for a wedding, is recorded in many family photos and remembered by thankful friends, parents, students, brides and grooms.

Today, Deborah is survived to carry on these family traditions by her siblings, Mary Ross (Steve), John Fleischman (Beth), Jim Fleischman (Paula), Annie Thorpe (Tony), and Irene Fleischman. Her nieces and nephews, Stephanie, Bridgette, Deborah Ellen, Rachael, Samual, Thomas, Sean, Erin, Shannon, James, Irene and Patrick are proudly carrying on their Aunt Deb's love of music, theatre and family traditions with their own children, too.

Deborah Fleischman is also survived by her dearest friends, countless students, and the theatre community, who loved Ms. Fleischman. They feel that she is the true star who will shine brightly in their memories.

Deborah lived a meaningful life of faith, service, and love. She was surely met in Heaven by her grandparents, Immaculata and Wesley Monaghan, Agnes and Edmund Fleischman, and her loving parents, Joanne and Ralph Fleischman, and her precious brothers, Eddie and Patrick. Deborah felt their love and influence throughout her life and prayed for this glorious day.

If Deborah could give us her last Director's note about closing the show of her life, she would quote Dr. Seuss… "Don't cry because it ended, smile because it happened." The curtain has closed, but you may honor her performance with a contribution to or volunteer support of The Academy Children's Theatre (ACT), a nonprofit (501c3), 4800 Sparkman Drive, Huntsville, AL 35810 (actproductionsaaa@gmail.com). Your donations will defer expenses and sponsor children in Stars, Clowns, and productions at the AAA Fleischman Theatre.

Visitation is at 9:00 am and Funeral Mass at 10:00 am, Monday, September 8, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 625 Airport Road, Huntsville, AL. Burial to follow at Valhalla Memory Gardens, arrangements by Berryhill Funeral Home. Family and friends are welcome following the burial at 8400 Hickory Hill Drive, Huntsville, AL.