Leigh Rosenberg Earnest Obituary (2008)

On April 21, 2008, Leigh Rosenberg Earnest died as the result of a leiomyosarcoma; a rare form of cancer. Leigh was born in Burlington, VT on March 5, 1952, to Alice and Robert M. Rosenberg, Jr. She was raised there attending Burlington High School and the University of Vermont where she majored in Art. It was at the University of Vermont that she met and later married her husband, Steven. After their marriage, Leigh and Steven spent several years in Knoxville, TN and Mobile, AL before settling in Kansas City, MO in 1979. Art and teaching were life long passions for Leigh. She was an abstract expressionist with a focus on color, always exploring how color influences art. Leigh was a working artist during her time in Kansas City and had many shows including one in New York City. She was active in the Kansas City Artist's Coalition for many years, acting as the President of the organization on more than one occasion. She was also a teacher. Whether working with the public schools in the Young Audience program, teaching at the Nelson-Atkins museum or simply helping with the schools her children were attending, it gave her a great sense of passing along her passion for art. Leigh's greatest pride was her two sons, Josh and Dan. Her proudest moment was when they were a Bar Mitzvah. Her greatest joy was her grandson, Elijah, who she was able to see and enjoy for two years. She was preceded by her parents, Robert M. Rosenberg, Jr. and Alice Master. She is survived by her husband, Steven; Joshua, Sarah and Elijah Earnest of Kansas City, MO; Daniel Earnest and Emily Tipton of Chicago, IL, her sister and husband, Jo and David Joy of Milton, VT and her brother Richard (Rick) and Deborah Rosenberg of Royal Palm Beach, FL. There are numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who will miss her dearly -- she truly was a blessing. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and support staff that they have worked with over the past few months, in particular, the doctors at Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis and North Kansas City Hospital who have provided kind and compassionate care. Services will be held at Congregation Kol Ami at 7501 Belinder Ave., Prairie Village, KS on Thursday, April 24, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Mount Moriah Cemetery. Instead of flowers, the family wishes that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or your favorite charity.