Barbara (Babs) Lowenstein, 94, of Leawood, Kansas, died on Sept. 27.
Funeral services were held on Sept. 29 at The New Reform Temple, with burial immediately following at Rose Hill Cemetery. Kindly omit flowers; the family suggests contributions to Village Shalom or Kansas City Hospice House.
Babs was born on June 20, 1931, on a couch in her parents' home on East 69th Terrace in Kansas City, Missouri, to the late Krindle and Sol Lapin. In 1951, she married the late Jerry Epstein, with whom she had her three children. In 1994, Babs married Bill Lowenstein (of blessed memory), with whom she spent 30 wonderful years.
Babs left a legacy as a beloved preschool director and teacher for 33 years at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah at 69th and Holmes using a teaching style that encouraged her students to use their imaginations and creativity. She introduced them to acting through performances in “The Wizard of Oz,” “Snow White,” “Cinderella” and “Peter Pan.” Her puppets, especially Rubber Ducky, Tall Small, Kitty Cat and Black Cat, charmed and entertained not only her preschoolers but Renaissance Festival goers for many years. She treated her students to amazing experiences through the arts, problem solving and critical thinking in a way that was joyful and interesting, providing an excellent base for their educational years ahead.
After retirement, Babs took up abstract painting and ceramics at The J’s Heritage Center. She loved color and light and developed a style that expresses both. Although many of her paintings are all over the country, the majority of her work is now on long term loan to the Epsten Gallery at Village Shalom, where different displays of her work can be seen periodically throughout the year. She was an avid golfer and tennis player and served on the board at Oakwood Country Club.
Babs is survived by her children, Jenny Isenberg (John), Lynn Poskin (Joe) and Andy Epstein (Anne); grandchildren, Amy Isenberg, Adam Isenberg (Alex Ferreira), Allison Obeler (Danny), Jamie Poskin (Emily Cunningham), Brady Poskin (Katie McCaslin), Becky Poskin (Lucas Richardson), Tommy Poskin (Lucy), Aidan Epstein (Bo Kane), Isabel Epstein and Bridget Epstein; great-grandchildren Max Obeler, Amos, Esther, Ignatius and Bernadette Poskin, Harriet, Huck, Sylvia and Cal Poskin. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Lon, John, Reed and Glenn Lowenstein and their families; her sisters, Lou Pagel and Emily House (Stan); nephew, Jeff House (Jody); nieces, Mimi (Jay) and Susan (Paul); and her “Sunday Night Dinner” family, Tom and Ann Isenberg and their children and grandchildren.
The family gives special thanks to cousins Carol and Eddie Lapin for making her so welcome at Village Shalom; her many attentive caregivers especially Taffy, Lucy and Angela; her trainer, Carter; art teacher, Patricia; and all of the other wonderful people who touched her life.
Online condolences may be left for the family at louismemorialchapel.com.