Florence “Symie” Fasbinder, 93, of Overland Park, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, after saying goodbye to family and friends.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Dec. 18, at The Louis Memorial Chapel, with burial at Sheffield Cemetery.
Born Syma Fajga Kershenbaum in Poland in 1918, Symie waited with her mother, Rose Peltz Kershenbaum, and siblings before leaving family in Gora Kalwaria and Warsaw to follow her father, Harry Kershenbaum, to the U.S. Earlier, when Symie’s father sent money to buy a farm in Poland, the renowned Ger Rabbi told the family not to buy a farm but to go to America. Only one relative who remained in Poland, also named Syma Fajga, survived the Holocaust.
Symie worked in a photography studio and as a model before becoming the top hosiery saleswoman in the nation for Baker Shoes. She later worked for her brother, Leo Kershenbaum, at his OK Furniture store.
Symie married the great love of her life, Dr. Sam “Mackey” Fasbinder, in 1952. They briefly moved to California before returning to Kansas City, where Mackey resumed his dental practice and they started a family of four sons. Mackey died in 1965, when their youngest son was four years old and the oldest was 10.
Symie’s family was the great joy in her life. She was an amazing mother to her sons and mother figure to many others. Her house was the hub where children played and teens gathered. She took them on numerous adventures and was involved in their activities, once volunteering to dress as a clown and climb out of a helicopter. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her children or grandchildren. All have memories of watching Popeye on TV while eating spinach from a can. She showered them with unconditional love. They, in turn, adored her.
Symie loved flowers, animals and art. Late in life, she took art classes at the Jewish Community Center, where she met her companion of 10 years, Alvin Cohn.
A beautiful woman both inside and out, Symie had a special warmth that drew people to her. She loved life, exuded a positive attitude, and repeatedly shared with others her gratitude and how blessed she was to have her family. Although she gave birth to only boys, she said that she had no daughters-in-law, only daughters.
Symie was preceded in death by her siblings, Leo Kershenbaum, Sylvia Cohn and Eddie Kershenbaum. She is survived by her sister, Virginia Spira (Paul) of Los Angeles; children, John and Cherie Fasbinder of Lenexa, Paul and Sheila Fasbinder, Mark and Lauren Fasbinder and Tom and Ruby Fasbinder of Overland Park; grandchildren, Stacy and Dan Tobin and Evan Fasbinder of San Jose, Calif., Ben and Michelle Fasbinder of Las Vegas, Sam and Alexandra Fasbinder, Brad Fasbinder, Morgan Fasbinder and Graham Fasbinder of Overland Park, Kenny and Darla Irwin and Bill Irwin of Lamar, Mo.; and great-grandchildren, Mia Tobin and Mitchel Tobin of San Jose and Kelsi Lawrence and Allyson Tiller of Lamar.
The Fasbinder family would like to thank the wonderful, caring staffs at Village Shalom and K.C. Hospice House and Dr. Donald Cohen for their devotion to providing Symie with outstanding care. The family suggests contributions to Village Shalom, K.C. Hospice or Wayside Waifs.
Online condolences maybe shared at www.louismemorialchapel.com.
Arr: The Louis Memorial Chapel, 816-361-5211.