Julie Gerson passed away peacefully on September 18 surrounded by her adoring family.
“Grandee,” as she was known by her grandchildren, was born to Sally and Jack (Babe) Lapin, December 5, 1936, in Kansas City. Julie was so fortunate to have grown up surrounded by a loving family, including her brother Edward and many friends. “Jules,” as affectionately known by her friends, maintained many of these same lifelong relationships.
Although Julie told her kids she grew up “splitting a pea four ways,” we are not so sure that was the case, but we embraced the intended lesson. She loved her family and friends unconditionally, and we will greatly miss her 100-watt smile and the gentle kindness bestowed upon all who knew her.
Mom met her future husband, Peter, at a baseball game in 1955, and their marriage spanned 57 adventurous years until Peter’s passing in 2012. Mom was a great balance to Peter and was responsible for their active social life that included gourmet dinners, countless parties, and dancing until the wee hours of the morning. Julie loved traveling, and she and Peter explored the world - including a special visit to the Pope’s summer residence. Mom found her paradise in Aspen, Colorado, where she embraced the local social scene with many newfound friends while continuing her love of the arts and rarely missing a performance at the Aspen Music Festival.
Julie has been an incredible mother to her three children and loving “Grandee” to her eight grandkids. We loved our time with her, whether around the dinner table every night (promptly at 6 p.m.), or on adventurous family vacations. Julie was always there for us and her kids’ biggest cheerleader.
Her family will forever remember, be grateful for, and miss her amazing cooking. Every birthday, each of us chose our favorite dinner, and Julie spared no effort in making it special.
Although Julie’s more-than-full-time job was sacrificing and staying home to raise three active kids, her energy and outside interests were unending. She passionately supported her beloved Kansas City community and local organizations.
Julie made an impact on William Jewell College as one of the founders of the Harriman-Jewell Arts Program, which introduced Luciano Pavarotti to the world. Mom was a 50-year supporter of the Jewish Federation and is credited for bringing the Lion of Judah program to Kansas City after seeing its success in Denver. The first KC Lion program was chaired by Julie. Whether volunteering in the kids’ schools as a “Picture Lady,” creating and implementing innovative children’s educational community programming, serving on many boards and committees (including the Nelson Atkins Museum, Kansas City Symphony, Crittenton Home, Menorah Medical Center, and the Children’s Place, to name a few), Julie gave generously with her time, talent, and treasure. She was a lifelong member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, and taught her kids the Jewish values of love, kindness and acts of Tikkun Olam. She was incredibly humble in her impact. Julie found beauty in everyone and everything.
We are so grateful to our dear friend Elizabeth Braus, who has been an amazing caregiver and close friend to Julie during the last years of her life. Elizabeth became part of our family.
Julie is survived by her three children: Liz Hjalmarson (John), Jim Gerson (Katie), John Gerson (Lynn); Eight grandchildren: Sara, Kathryn, Jacob, JJ, Hannah, Elizabeth, Ellie and Jack; and brother Edward Lapin and wife Carol, who was one of Julie’s best friends and closest confidants.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, September 22 at 10 a.m. at Rosehill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Alzheimer’s Association or your favorite KC arts organization, and share a 100 watt smile each day in honor of Julie, who greatly brightened and lightened our lives.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
