Phyllis Lea Denton passed away on Sept. 25, 2022, in Overland Park, Kansas, the day after family gathered to celebrate her 93rd birthday.
She was born Sept. 24, 1929, to Louis and Ann (Smith) Katz in Kansas City, Missouri.
She married Marvin Lee Denton on Aug. 5, 1956, in Kansas City. She is survived by husband Marvin; twin daughters Sharon Denton (Bill Myers) of Lyons, Colorado, and Sheila Denton of Overland Park; sister Lois Baraban; nephews Bill, Bruce, Jeff, Marc, Paul and Steve Baraban; and many beloved grand-nieces and nephews, spouses and cousins. Blessed with a long life, Phyllis survived many loved ones and dear friends.
Phyllis attended Kansas City public schools and graduated from Northeast High School, then attended business school in Kansas City. She worked as a bookkeeper for several local businesses during her career.
As a member of Congregation Ohev Sholom for more than 50 years, she volunteered regularly and was honored for providing loving service to that community. Widely appreciated for her cooking and baking skills, she enjoyed feeding generations of community members, family and friends.
Phyllis is remembered by her family as a kind, gentle soul — one who loved music, especially classical, and enjoyed season tickets for the Kansas City Symphony with daughter Sheila for many years.
A natural gardener who enjoyed riding her tractor lawn mower as much as tending flowers and vegetables, she was also an active member of the Bonsai Society of Kansas City. She was an armchair traveler and adventurer who loved reading about mountain-climbing and faraway places and cultures. Her daughters gratefully refer to her as their “soul-sister.”
Phyllis loved nature, the outdoors and annual trips to Colorado with Marvin to enjoy the Rocky Mountains and stay with daughter Sharon in Lyons, where morning coffee on the deck provided a daily ritual to take in the peaceful scenery, blue sky, golden aspens and Colorado air. At home, she loved the many birds she watched and tended in the backyard through every season.
The family wishes to thank the wonderful staffs of Vineyard House SeniorCare Home, Kansas City Hospice, and the Atriums for providing tender loving care to Phyllis, Marvin and the family over these past many months.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Denton Prayer Book Fund at Congregation Beth Shalom or the charitable organization of your choice.
Graveside services were held on Sept. 29, 2022, at Kehilath Israel Blue Ridge Cemetery, 1901 Blue Ridge Blvd, Independence, MO 64052.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
