Barbara C. Kahn, 86, of Leawood, Kansas, died peacefully on Sept. 21 in Rancho Mirage, California, where she maintained a winter home for many years.
Barbara was born in Kansas City, Missouri, to Bud and Bertha Cortez on June 10, 1938. She went to Southwest High School and graduated in 1956. She attended The Ohio State University, where she was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority.
Prior to raising her children, she worked for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, translating greeting cards into Spanish. She enjoyed traveling the world with her husband of 65 years, Ronnie; playing bridge and canasta; and spending time with her grandchildren.
During her life she was engaged in a number of charitable organizations, including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Kansas City), the Lions of Judah of the Jewish Federation of North America (Kansas City and Los Angeles), the Mayo Clinic (Phoenix, Arizona) and Beit T’Shuvah (Los Angeles), which recently granted Barbara and Ronnie the Harriet Award for their long-standing charitable efforts.
Barbara is survived by her husband, Ronnie; her children, Michael L. Kahn and Shelly Kahn Tessel; her grandchildren, Alexander (Sasha) Kahn, Lucie Tessel, Jonah Tessel and Teddy Tessel; her brothers Edwin (Susan) and Larry; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents.
A private family burial was held at Rose Hill Cemetery on Sept. 25, with Rabbi Stephanie Kramer of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to Beit T’Shuvah (8831 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034) or beittshuvah.org/support/donate. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to her loyal healthcare aides, Jessica, Crystal, Rosemary and Jennifer; her physician, Dr. Christopher Flores; and Serenity Hospice.
