On Oct. 6, Deborah “Debby” Joy Agron, 75, died peacefully after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Debby was her dynamic, motivated, courageous and determined self until the very end. Her spirit, love and influence live on in the hearts and memories of her friends, family and loved-ones; including many people she touched through her decades-long involvement as both teacher and student of Jewish education.
Debby was born on May 29, 1950, in Sioux City, Iowa, to her parents, Robert and Lorraine Raskin (née Lipman). As an infant, Debby had charming green eyes and beautiful, thick red hair which eventually morphed into her well-known dark brown hue. She spent early childhood in Iowa, Texas and Missouri; but spent the majority of her childhood and adult life in Kansas.
Debby’s childhood and early teens were social, community-oriented and action-packed. She explored the world via avid reading, love of libraries, adventurous cooking, traveling, expanding her wide social network of friends and developing creative athletic pursuits — including baton throwing (and the occasional flaming baton!). Debby was captivating, capable and remarkably efficient. She was an excellent planner, and this allowed her to converse, learn and educate with wonderful ease. Debby was an active member of BBYO and established a strong connection to the Kansas City Jewish community through social groups and The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, which led to her introduction to Steve Agron, her future husband, around the age of 11. Their relationship developed over time; starting as acquaintances, then becoming friends and eventually dating.
Debby graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School and pursued her B.A. in psychology and early childhood education at Washington University in St. Louis. Debby and Steve continued a long-distance relationship while Steve attended the University of Kansas. After graduation, Debby moved back to Kansas City and started her working career at Memorex. Debby and Steve married on Aug. 5, 1973, and celebrated their honeymoon in San Francisco, California. Upon return, they made their family home in Overland Park, Kansas.
As a newlywed, before Debby and Steve expanded their family, Debby developed a love for mahjongg and forged a decades-long playing group of friends. On a weekly basis, the ladies would gather around a card table while playing, gambling, snacking and socializing — loving life and enjoying each other’s company among the “Mah Jong Girls.”
Debby and Steve celebrated the births of their son and daughter, Jason and Lindsay. Debby transitioned to full-time parenting during their early childhood, for which Jason and Lindsay are forever grateful for. As the kids got older, Debby began teaching at B’nai Jehudah (as did her father). Several years later, she began working at Congregation Beth Shalom, where she developed a wonderful career as an administrator, secretary and assistant to Rabbi Alan Cohen. Debby continued seeking out Jewish education seminars, training and even teaching art, cooking and history classes at Beth Shalom.
In 2019, she celebrated the birth of her grandson, Isadore “Izzy” Robert Bohumil Agron. After retiring in 2021, Debby focused on socializing and enjoying life. She continued voraciously reading multiple books at a time. She constantly sought out adventure through cooking, finding and testing recipes and techniques from all over the world. She would master these techniques and recipes and would share her cooking with others, including routine mail deliveries of delicious home-made treats and desserts across the country. She loved spending time visiting with family and found joy and excitement as a “Bubs” to her beloved grandson.
Debby truly had a zest for life and a constant itch to live, love, cook, read, play, explore and socialize. Her spirit, memories and teachings will continue to live on with her friends, family and loved ones. While her time on Earth was cut shorter than anyone hoped or expected, she led an amazing life. She would encourage all of her loved ones to continue to do the same.
Debby is preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Lorry Raskin; and her beloved pets, Patches and Spunky. She is survived by her beloved husband, Steve; children, Lindsay and Jason; daughter-in-law, Julie; grandson, Isadore “Izzy;” brothers, Marty and Ben; and sister in law, Donna.
Graveside services were held on Oct. 10 at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.
