Deborah “Debbie” Lindenbaum passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 1, 2022.
Debbie was born on Feb. 27, 1957, to Kurt and Barbara (Friedson) Gerson. Debbie grew up in Mission Hills, Kansas. She attended Shawnee Mission East High School and went to Arizona State University (ASU), where she received a bachelor’s degree in education.
After graduating from ASU, she worked for a short period of time as a teacher before joining the family business.
In the beginning of her career at Contempo Fashions, Debbie worked in the warehouse to learn the business from the ground up and gradually moved up to Director of Field Services. Debbie was an integral part of Contempo, working alongside her father and brother.
On May 5, 1985, Debbie married the love of her life, Kerry Lindenbaum. They shared a full and beautiful life together. They enjoyed their time gardening, as Debbie loved flowers, and also enjoyed going to jazz concerts, theater productions, and traveling. Debbie was an avid walker. She loved to walk her neighborhood and visit with her neighbors.
Soon after getting married, Debbie left Contempo Fashions to focus her attention on volunteering. She volunteered at the Johnson County Development Services, where she created an art program and developed a birthday program for mentally and physically challenged individuals. Debbie received the 1999 Symbol of Caregiving award for her work with JCDS.
To all of us who knew Debbie, she was truly the most kind and thoughtful person you could ever meet. She had a beautiful smile that could light up a room, and she had a way of making everyone feel welcome. Debbie had a warmth about her, and she blessed all our lives. She will be deeply missed.
Debbie is preceded in death by her brother, David Gerson, and her parents.
Debbie is survived by her husband Kerry Lindenbaum of the home; sister Linda Gerson of Santa Cruz, California; sister-in-laws Christine Gerson of Kansas City, Missouri, and Valerie DeWitt of Augusta, Kansas; nephews Alex Potvin of Denver, Colorado, and Levi (Emily) Gerson of Denver; and niece Tess Gerson of Chicago, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Johnson County Developmental Services.
