Obituary of Jeanne Lerner

Marlene Jeanne Lerner
October 6, 1931-August 21, 2025

Jeanne, as she preferred to be called, was born in Texarkana, Texas in 1931.
After High School, at the age of 16, Jeanne attended Stephens College in Missouri. Jeanne loved the nickname “Tex”, bestowed upon her by her classmates.
Eventually Jeanne moved out west where she attended the University of Colorado, Boulder. Jeanne’s colorful stories and funny anecdotes about being a wide-eyed coed with her best buddy Nan, were often told with a mischievous smile.
After graduating from the University of Colorado, Jeanne worked as a social worker at Denver General. She would often say that social work was the ideal career for her because people loved to talk and she loved to listen. While working at Denver General, Jeanne met a tall, handsome doctor named Belden Lerner. It wasn’t long before they fell in love and married in 1954. Together they built a life and marriage that flourished for 55 years.
In 1956 Jeanne gave birth to Rick and in 1960 Karen was born. Motherhood was one of Jeanne’s greatest joys. Jeanne was a supportive, compassionate and loving mother. Both Karen and Rick always admired their mother’s sense of humor. Truth be told, they referred to it as her “corny" sense of humor!
In 1987 Jeanne earned the title of Grandmother. Jeanne wanted to be named Bubbie. Young Olivia referred to Jeanne as “Boobie” and it lovingly stuck. When Max was born in 1991, Jeanne was thrilled to have a grandson named after her father. In 2018 Jeanne was over the moon to become a great-grandmother to Olivia and Mike’s daughter, Ruby. Ruby and Bubie had a special way of making one another laugh.

In the early ‘90s Jeanne’s parents Max and Marguerite moved from Texarkana to Denver. Having her parents live close by was very important to Jeanne. She was especially close to her mother whom she would say was the best mom in the world. Throughout her life, Jeanne carried forward the values her parents had woven into her character.
After Belden’s passing in 2009, Jeanne kept her fun-loving and energetic spirit intact and continued to enjoy spending time with her loving daughter Karen, whom she referred to as “KK”, her best friend. Dinners out and backyard cookouts spent with Rick (AKA Ricky), Jeanne’s favorite son, and his family were one of her favorite pastimes. Lunch with friends, classes at the Jewish Community Center and weekly trips to the beauty salon and manicurist filled her schedule. Visiting friends who were ill and often homebound, or lonely was one of her quiet acts of kindness. Jeanne loved watching her favorite soap opera and on occasion she would invite her housekeeper Cindy to watch with her. The cobwebs could wait!
Jeanne’s later years were spent at both The Courtyard at Mountain View and at Morningstar Senior Living. Jeanne’s ability to adapt to moving out of her home of over 60 years and adjust to apartment living in a community for seniors was admirable. Upon settling in, she quipped, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” Jeanne was the type of resident who would happily socialize with other residents and befriend anyone, anytime. The staff at Morningstar loved Jeanne. She had nicknames for each one to help her remember their names. Jeanne often spent her days participating in activities involving word games, crafts, and music. If music was playing, Jeanne was dancing! People around Jeanne admired her ability to dance like no one was watching.
The family is forever grateful to Jeanne for her positive and outgoing spirit, her resiliency, her dedication to family and for her unwavering love and support over the years.

A graveside service will be held at Emanuel Cemetery at 9:45am on August 25, 2025. In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions in Jeanne’s memory to Humane Colorado, formerly Dumb Friends League, or Alzheimer’s Association.