Lynette G. Chasen

Lynette Chasen passed away peacefully at the age of 83 on November 25th, 2023, surrounded by her family. Her last hours were filled with music and songs she loved, sung by her loved ones. Though everyone could see she was a very beautiful woman, she was even more beautiful on the inside, and that's what mattered the most. She cared deeply for her husband of 63 years, her children and grandchildren, her extended family, and all of her cherished friends.

Lynette grew up in Chicago with her beloved parents, Martin and Sylvia Graner, her brother Bruce, and a large and loving circle of relatives. Even as a young girl, she was a very loyal and trusted friend to many, and that wonderful trait remained throughout her entire life.

Once anyone got to know Lynette, they immediately "fell in love" with her. That was true most of all of Sherwin, who she met on September 12, 1959. Just eleven months later, they embarked upon 63 years of loving and devoted marriage, throughout which they shared in the joys of growing their family, building their careers, cheering on their favorite sports teams, and visiting so many beautiful corners of the world together.

In the earliest years of her marriage, Lynette's primary focus and passion were raising her sons, Jeff and Ken, and helping to instill the values they embody. She happily sacrificed any career thoughts when they were young, taking great satisfaction for many years in devoting herself to her sons and husband as her full-time occupation. The family settled into a small home in Northbrook, Illinois in 1965 and moved to Kansas City in 1973, enabling the boys to receive the best possible education, which was Lynette's top priority.

Once the children were ready for greater independence, Lynette started to build a remarkable career for herself. After working briefly in the fields of nutrition and special education, she discovered her skill and passion for travel. Quickly, she ascended from her initial training as a travel agent to assume the responsibility of managing multiple agencies. Once she had developed a large and loyal personal clientele, she decided to found and operate her own agency, Traveleader. With this courageous decision, she became the first member of her entire extended family to open and sustain a successful business of her own.

From day one, Lynette's business was profitable, enabling her to employ a number of associates whom she mentored over many years. Moreover, the proceeds from her business enabled both Jeff and Ken to go to college and played a large role in building the nest egg for her retirement with Sherwin. Perhaps most joyfully of all, her ownership of the agency afforded her the opportunity to travel extensively all over the world, including several journeys with her entire family and so many memorable adventures with Sherwin.

Even with her steadfast commitments to her family and business, Lynette always made time to do volunteer work in the community. Among many worthy causes, she was a passionate advocate for animal rights, which fueled her choice of vegetarianism. She was also especially proud of her leadership at the Central Exchange, an organization for professional women, to which she brought extraordinary women such as Maya Angelou for an exchange of ideas.

At the end of 1999, Lynette and Sherwin embraced a new chapter in their lives in Carlsbad, California. She loved her new home, her new neighbors, and especially her new friends, who loved her back so fully. She savored the beautiful weather and lifestyle in Carlsbad, joyfully remaining there for the final 24 years of her life.

Lynette is survived by her loving husband Sherwin, her devoted sons Jeff (Jaime) and Ken (Allison), and her six amazing grandchildren, Julia (Jake), Scott, Zoey, Micah, Ben, and Eliana, who were her pride and joy. Her family was the very center of her life. She loved them endlessly, and they loved her just as deeply. Her memory will be an enduring blessing.

Should you wish to honor her memory with a donation, please consider these possibilities: Hospice of North Coast in Carlsbad, California; Leo Baeck Temple in Los Angeles, California; ASPCA.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 at 2:30 pm PT at Mt. Sinai Memorial Park in Simi Valley, CA (6150 Mount Sinai Drive, Simi Valley, CA 93063). The service can be live-streamed here: https://www.viewlogies.net/mountsinaiparks/yAEI_qZ71?pin=521690. Shiva information can be provided to those who request it by contacting Mt. Sinai Memorial Park 805-306-6407.