Lee Leona Kazan

Lee Kazan passed away peacefully on July 8, 2013. She was a loving, caring and charitable woman. She was born October 24, 1926 to parents Rebecca " Bella" and Max Reimer. She grew up in Cleveland, Ohio , but moved to Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband and family in 1952. She had a lifelong love of trees and greenery. Lee loved to dance and sing, and met her husband Harold at a jitterbug party in 1946. They fell in love and were married 2 months later and remained happily married for 52 years. They were blessed with 4 children, twins Barry and Sherry, then daughters Lala and Carole (Weedee). Shortly after the birth of Lala they packed their car, moved to Phoenix, Arizona and opened a variety store on 35th Avenue and between McDowell and Van Buren. They later moved their business, K & R Hardware, to the corner of 35th Avenue and McDowell. Lee, Harold and her father Max all worked hard to make K & R Hardware a successful business. Lee was active in the Jewish Community expecially B'nai Brith and the Jewish Community Center. She served as the first director of the Jewish Community Senior Center for 5 years. During that time she attended Phoenix College and obtained an AA degree with honors. The family decided to open a second hardware store, Union Hills Ace Hardware, and Lee left her position at the Jewish Center to work full time at the store. She continued working until shortly before her death at 86 years of age. She was a wonderful employer and considered her employees family. She had many friends, relatives and caregivers who loved and appreciated her generosity and kindness. She was preceded in death by her husband Harold and her son Barry. She is survived by her daughters Sherry Bell (Peter), Lala Van Camp (Peter), Carole "Weedee" Mandino (Dana); grandchildren Larry Bell (Tracey), Adina Evanson (Tage), Danielle Mandino, Ryan Mandino (Jamie); great grandchildren Elijah Bell and Zayle and "B" Evanson. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. A funeral service will be celebrated on Friday July 12, 2013, at 2 PM at Phoenix Memorial Park, 222 West Beardsley Road, Phoenix, Arizona. Reception following the service to be held at 1823 West Orchid Lane, Phoenix, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Arizona Jewish Historical Society, 122 E. Culver Street, Phoenix Az, 85004