Janice Marilyn Lehman, born March 19, 1941, passed away on May 16, 2022, following a courageous 4 ½ year battle with leukemia.
Jan grew up in Lordsburg, a small town in southwestern New Mexico. Her family were respected merchants and willingly helped anyone in town who was in need. Jan was the oldest of six siblings who were always very close and supportive of each other. The six siblings, spanning 10 years, grew up working in Lehman’s Department Store. In small-town New Mexico, Jan, the oldest, helped raise her younger siblings, and they spent many hours together. No one ever had to play solitaire. They were the only Jewish family in town, which necessitated trips to Tucson, Arizona, 160 miles away, for High Holiday services and bar mitzvah training.
After graduating from the University of Arizona, Jan’s first career was as an elementary school teacher in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and then Phoenix. Growing up, retailing was part of her DNA. So, following her career as an educator, she hung up her crayons and rulers and returned to her first love, retail. For 10 years, she and her daughter, Carole, owned an upscale children’s clothing store, Smart Kids, in Scottsdale, Arizona, specializing in bar and bat mitzvah clothing. Jan then moved to Kansas City and joined her sister and brother-in-law's family business, Benchmark Home Furnishings, where she managed the large sales staff for 15 years.
Jan remained in Overland Park, Kansas, for the rest of her life. She had wonderful friends who were very protective of her.
Throughout Jan’s life she embraced travel with family. Her journeys took her to China, Iceland, Russia, Scandinavia, Israel, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, Bermuda, Western Caribbean, and many of the 50 United States.
Jan had a dry wit and a keen sense of humor. She was a supporter of local and national Jewish organizations.
Her children, grandchildren and siblings were her greatest joy. She loved to cook and entertain and did it with gusto. Her friends and family will always remember her cheerful outlook and determined nature.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Sylvia Lehman; brothers, Norton and David Lehman.
She is survived by her children: Jeffrey (Beth) Zimmerman, Carole (Jim) Bergh; grandchildren, Nora and Elise Zimmerman, Noah, Sabra, Shannon, Ashton and Rylee Bergh; her siblings, Miriam (Bob) Davidow, Sam (Pam) Lehman, Lainie (Miles) Friedman; and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held on May 17, 2022, at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, 5529 Ditzler, Raytown, MO 64133.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy https://www.hbha.edu/support-us/tribute_donation.cfm.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
