In the early morning hours of March 5, 2022, Rosalyn Lerner, also known as Rose, Mother, Rosie, Ro and Bubbie, died peacefully, surrounded by her family.
Rosie reached the age of 100 years and nine months.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, to immigrant parents in a Yiddish-speaking home, she was one of six siblings, and the last to survive. Rosie graduated from Central High School and went to work as the secretary for Rabbi Gershon Hadas at Congregation Beth Shalom.
Rosie was married to Morris Lerner for 42 years, and together they raised three sons: Michael, Bruce, and Paul. Their nephew Jerry Bressel was like another son. While family was most important to Rosie, she had another love: Congregation Beth Shalom. There, she and her sister Marilyn were members of the choir for over 60 years. In addition, Rosie ran the gift shop there for about 20 years, although some say she dispensed more counseling than gifts.
Rosie was a talented seamstress, making almost all her own clothes and clothes for others too. Rosie was also a great cook and even better baker. In fact, The Kansas City Star published a full page feature on her recipes and techniques for kosher cooking and baking. Rosie loved to entertain. At 82 years old, she and sister Marilyn prepared a seder meal for over 30 people.
Yet another of Rosie’s talents was her ability to do calligraphy. Because of her beautiful handwriting, she was asked to hand-write addresses to formal events like weddings.
Rosie was interested in everyone she met. People would share with her their innermost thoughts. We often asked ourselves, what was it that endeared her to so many? Even the hospice nurses, who knew her for a very short time, said the same thing. Rosie will be missed by all.
Rosie is survived by her sons Michael (Audrey) and Bruce (Devra); two grandsons, Zachery (Krista) and David (Nina); one step-grandson, Nate (Genevieve); three great-grandchildren, Max, Mia, and Avi; three step-great-grandchildren, Stellan, Axel, and Zephyr; and many nieces and nephews.
Charitable donations in her honor may be directed to Congregation Beth Shalom or Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy.
Funeral was at the Yukon Chapel of Mt. Carmel Cemetery on March 8, 2022. Online condolences may be left for the family at louismemorialchapel.com.
