Phyllis Laurens Barnett Leitner of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away on Aug. 13, 2022, at age 91.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Dr. Arnold Barnett; her second husband, Amos Leitner; and her sister, Jean Venter.
She is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Jerry) Lindenbaum of Leawood, Kansas; son Neil (Lisa) Barnett of Prairie Village, Kansas; stepson Yoram (Cathy) Leitner of Clearwater, Kansas; and stepdaughter Naomi (Dov) Leitner of Kfar Saba, Israel.
Phyllis was the loving grandmother to Sara (Josh), Nicole (Tim), Aaron (Rebecca), Mark (Annie), Caroline, and Rachel, and step-grandmother to Elizabeth (Michael), Amanda (Rick), Diana (Ruth Ellen), Noga (Omri), Jonathan (Abby), and Maya (Nadav). She has 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Robbie, nieces Elna and Rene (Theo), and many other loved ones.
Phyllis was born in Estcourt, South Africa, and attended school in Greytown. Following high school, Phyllis trained as a nurse at Addington Hospital in Durban where she met a handsome young doctor, Arnold, whom she married. Her children Sharon and Neil were born shortly thereafter. The family emigrated from South Africa in 1973 and made their home in Wichita, Kansas, where Phyllis lived for the next 43 years. Phyllis’ first husband, Arnold, died in 1989, and she married Amos in 1993. She and Amos moved to Overland Park, Kansas, in 2016 to be closer to her children.
Phyllis grew up in rural, farming communities in northern Natal, South Africa, and acquired a deep love of nature from her father. She was a master gardener and put those skills to work while devoting countless hours to help build and support Botanica Community Gardens. Her personal garden was something to behold and the envy of many.
Family was the most important thing to Phyllis. She was a devoted grandparent to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved them fiercely. No matter where in the world a family milestone took place, Phyllis was there as a show of unwavering love and support. A testament to the breadth of her community, friends and family all over the world that will grieve her death.
The graveside funeral was held Aug. 15, 2022, at the Hebrew Congregation Cemetery in Wichita. Donations can be made in Phyllis’ memory to Ahavath Achim Congregation and Botanica Community Gardens, both in Wichita.
