Geraldine P. Lebman

Geraldine Phyllis Rodis Lebman was born into and taken away from this world on her birthday, May 17th. She was 79 years young.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Marvin Lebman, and their 4 children: 1 Missy and husband Ron Grantham of San Antonio, 2 Riki and husband Dave Mesiar of Anchorage, Alaska, 3 Stephanie Lebman of San Antonio, and 4 Andrew Lebman and wife Sheryl of Houston. Her grandchildren, Zachary and Samuel Grantham of Austin and Kathryn and Madeline Lebman of Houston were a highlight of her life.

She was the usual proud grandmother when Zac and Sam graduated from The University of Texas even though she bled Maroon and White and was very thankful and happy that she was able to live long enough to see Zac and Susan married. She thought Katie and Maddie were the most wonderful girls and bragged on them constantly.

She adored her niece Peggy Quinn, her husband Tom and their children as well as Karen Hart. Although a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, she returned to her beloved native New York to attend Juilliard School of Music pursuing classes in Voice Opera and Piano. During that time, she was pursued by Marvin and due to a letter written by then Senator Lyndon B. Johnson requesting that Pvt. Lebman be allowed off base to be married, they were married on December 24, 1950.

After leaving Army life, San Antonio became their permanent home. Geraldine was an active member of the San Antonio Conservation Society for whom she and her family ran a tamale booth for many years at NIOSA. At one time, she was a member of the Tuesday Musical Club as well as later becoming a member of the Pan American Round Table with her beloved neighbor Wanda Yeckel. She was active politically for several years becoming an election judge for the Democratic party in San Antonio.

As members of Temple Beth-El for many years, Marvin and Geraldine were involved in many activities including active participation in the Brandeis Book Sale. Geraldine was an avid reader her entire life collecting a sizeable library of first editions and books of all types. She was literally a world traveler to too many countries to name but having actually visited all 7 continents, many times traveling with her best friend, Maxine Rose. Throughout her travels and as a passion of her spare time, she collected "salts" salt containers and amassed a truly remarkable collection of unusual and rare pieces.

Most recently, she and Marvin spent 8 wonderful years living in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, a city and people whom Geraldine loved. With her big smile that lit any room she walked into, she will be highly missed by many relatives and friends everywhere. Since she will be cremated, she had requested no service nor memorial at her passing as she felt that people are remembered through the thoughts of others that are touched by that person versus a single public display of attention.

Her ashes will be spread by her family in areas that she loved.

She had requested that donations to a charity of one's choice be the best way to acknowledge recognition of her life. Her family thanks all those that participate in this way.