Furniture exec Fishbein dies
By John Rebchook, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published March 19, 2008 at 1:33 p.m.
Updated March 19, 2008 at 8:19 p.m.
Photo by The Rocky
Leslie and Sam Fishbein chaired the "Hooray for Hollywood" benefit for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado last October at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center.
Leslie Fishbein, whose TV commercials for Kacey Fine Furniture for more than two decades made her one of the most recognizable businesswomen in the Denver area, died today.
Mrs. Fishbein, 55, had been clinging to life since receiving an injection at a physician's office on March 4, to relieve pain from a horseback riding injury from several years ago.
Mrs. Fishbein's family released this statement this afternoon:
"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, daughter and sister, Leslie Fishbein, this Wednesday, March 19th at 12 pm. Leslie was a vibrant and loving member of our community as well as our family. Her passing is a profound loss for all of us. We ask, once again, that we be allowed to grieve our loss privately."
The funeral for Mrs. Fishbein will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at the main sanctuary at Temple Emmanuel, 51 Grape St., an official from Feldman Mortuary said. The interment will be private.
The unexpected circumstances that led to her death, shocked and saddened both close friends, as well as those who only knew her from her commercials.
Mrs. Fishbein's death was especially heart-breaking for Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.
Mrs. Fishbein's father, Jack Barton, was Hickenlooper's landlord when he first opened Wynkoop Brewing Co. in downtown Denver 20 years ago. Before Hickenlooper turned the brick building in Lower Downtown into Denver's first brewpub, it had been a warehouse for Kacey Fine Furniture.
"He was like my surrogate father," said Hickenlooper, who had visited with the family frequently since the unfortunate collapse of Mrs. Fishbein.
Barton, and his wife, Shirley, he noted, had Leslie and two other daughters, but no son.
"And my dad died when I was a kid, so it was almost like they adopted me," Hickenlooper said.
"Leslie was like my sister."
He said that Mrs. Fishbein really hit her stride at her family's furniture business about the same time he was launching Wynkoop's. She had joined Kacey Fine Furniture in 1976, after graduating from the University of Colorado.
The Denver economy was bad, and that made it difficult for both their respective businesses, Hickenlooper said. Both Mrs. Fishbein and her parents would frequently dine at Wynkoop's, helping out his fledgling restaurant, he id.
To say Mrs. Fishbein was energetic, was an understatement.
"I think I'm a pretty energetic person, and she had the ability to make me feel like I was moving in slow motion," Hickenlooper said, who notes he has several pieces of furniture from Kacey's in his home. "And she was really smart - not in just one or two ways, but in everything. She mastered everything and was a real innovator and free-thinker. She lived a big life. And she had a lively sense of humor."
She was the president of Jack Barton Co., the parent of Kacey Fine Furniture. Her husband, Sam, of more than 30 years, is the CEO. They had no children, but were active in a number of charities.
Jake Jabs, head of American Furniture Warehouse, said the death of "Leslie is absolutely sad, a tragedy. I did quite a few things with her. Whenever she saw me at a (furniture) show, she came up to me and gave me a big hug. She was really the gal that made Kacey Fine Furniture a viable company. She was a good, hard-working girl who was really smart. I'm sorry for her and her family."
Bob Greenlee, the former mayor of Boulder who used to own the KBCO radio station with his wife, Diane, and who is the co-founder of the Rock Bottom Restaurant business, had known Mrs. Fishbein and her parents for about 25 years.
"Leslie's passing is indescribably painful," Greenlee said in an e-mail. "That cherry voice and infectious smile we have all witnessed over many years will no longer be shared with those of us who have known and loved her for so long. Her keen sense of humor and her warm and gracious manner will always be with us."
Diane Greenlee said that she and her husband first met Leslie and Sam Fishbein in 1983 on a KUSA trip to South Hampton, Great Britain.
"We were sailing on the QE-2 and returned on the Concorde, and ever since we have been strong and steady friends," she said.
In August 1990, she and Bob invited the Fishbeins to their 25th wedding anniversary in the Durango area.
It rained, forcing everyone to don garbage bags.
"My fondest memory of Leslie was back at the hotel in Telluride, leading us through the raisin dance to Heard It Through the Grapevine, while we were all wearing black, plastic garbage bags," she said.
One person, identified as rbaloha, posted this comment on the Rocky Mountain News Web site:
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Although we never had the opportunity to meet Leslie in person, she came into our home by way of commercials. She was a neat lady. She will be missed."
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March 19, 2008
1:42 p.m.
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Brockage writes:
Finally her terribly long goodbye has reached an end. She was an angel upon the earth. Rest in peace Leslie; sympathy and respect to the family.
March 19, 2008
1:51 p.m.
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PACO writes:
I have seen Leslie's commercials so many times while growing up, it seems as though I knew her personally. She will be missed!
March 19, 2008
2:04 p.m.
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lisaakmartin writes:
Leslie was not only caring, enthusiastic, and passionate about her beliefs, she was an absolute hoot, and I love that in a person! She lit up a room of hundreds of people with her beautiful smile and humongous heart, yet she had the ability to treat each individual as a special friend. Leslie was an extraordinary human being that you simply couldn't walk away from without loving her. She will never be forgotten by countless "friends" and she'll live in our hearts forever.
God bless our Leslie, and much heartfelt love to her family.
Love,
Lisa Martin
March 19, 2008
2:25 p.m.
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SteveFesch writes:
May she rest in peace. I had gotten to know her a little bit over the last few months as we testfied against a pay raise bill for the RTD board of directors at the capital. I'd also talked to her several times at the RTD board meetings as we were both trying to save our businesses from being shut down by RTD.
She was a strong woman and a great business person from what I could tell. What a loss for our community.
May she rest in peace. Leslie we will fight on in your honor.
March 19, 2008
2:26 p.m.
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RDA writes:
She was adorable on tv. I, like so many others, never met her but I will miss those Kacey commercials. It is a loss to our community. My condolences to her family and friends.
March 19, 2008
2:27 p.m.
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Shaupeen writes:
What nice things for people to say upon her passing. That makes me feel good to read.
March 19, 2008
2:38 p.m.
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jvb writes:
In prior blogs on Leslie, bloggers were praying for god's intervention ~~~~ perhaps a miracle that Leslie would once again resume her commercials. Had God postponed Leslie's death, those who prayed would scream from the highest steeple: "God answered my prayer." What is being shouted from the highest steeple now? Is it condemnation of God for he could have intervened or is it: "Oh, there was not enough faith in the petition!"
God always gets credit for good but he never gets credit for bad or evil and God claims to have created evil: Isa. 45:7.
I don't mean to sound disrespectful; Leslie was a beautiful compassionate caring human being; I will miss her commercials and who likes commercials? I like to join with 95% of the bloggers who tell God to take a hike. Take a hike, God, who rewards and punishes objects of your creation.
March 19, 2008
2:43 p.m.
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tchoupitoulas writes:
I never met Mrs. Fishbein, but like many others I adored the commercials for Kacey Fine Furniture. She appeared to be so energetic and kind and authentic on TV, a quality I'm sure she exuded a million times over in person.
My deepest sympathies for her family and friends, and the countless others I'm sure she touched in her short time on earth.
March 19, 2008
2:56 p.m.
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nativegirl writes:
Drat! Was hoping she'd pull through. RIP, Mrs. Fishbein.
March 19, 2008
3:02 p.m.
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Shaupeen writes:
NotChasB, what are you talking about? Everyone else is expressing sadness and condolences, and you are talking about lawsuits. How about you show some sensitivity and shut up for a while?
And by a while, I mean for ever.
March 19, 2008
3:12 p.m.
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Kslayer writes:
JVB- It's to bad for you that you feel that way. I hope that someday you will find the truth. It is then that you will get the answer to your question.
This is about remembering Leslie.... May she be at peace knowing that she seems to have touched many people. I don't personaly know her, but I have a feeling that this women lived as though she was dying, and died knowing she had lived. Something for us all to strive for.
March 19, 2008
3:19 p.m.
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peterpi writes:
NotChasB, I assume she had an excellent doctor. I also assume when the doctor gave her the medicine that led to her eventual death, that the doctor didn't dream she'd have a such a severe reaction. Sometimes accidents happen.
Years ago, my mom suffered a broken hip. During the surgery, the anesthesiologist forgot to monitor my mom's oxygen level for a brief period, and she suffered from hypoxia. It left her mentally less than she was. After discussing it, my sisters and I didn't bring a lawsuit: There was no reason to assume malign intent on the part of the anesthesiologist and what good would it have done? Would money have restored my mom's brain cells? No.
jvb, death is a part of life. Life is a terminal condition. The presence or absense of God doesn't change that fact.
Like most others, I also pray that Ms. Fishbein rests in peace, and I offer condolences to her family.
March 19, 2008
3:21 p.m.
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Squatch writes:
Way too sad! I alway enjoyed herr commercials and never knew anymore about her till this story broke. Rest in Peace and God Bless.
March 19, 2008
3:31 p.m.
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blacksho89 writes:
I met Leslie Fishbein once. She insisted on shaking my hand even though I was just asking to use the phone in her 6th Avenue location, after trying unsuccessfully to start my car. She got grease all over her hands... A real nice lady.
jvb: This is not the place for that. Be a man and take it outside.
March 19, 2008
3:57 p.m.
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jc56 writes:
I am so sorry to hear that Leslie passed away. I went to high school with her and she was a briallant person inside and out. Rest in peace Leslie. My deepest sympathy to her husband and family.
March 19, 2008
4:37 p.m.
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HollyGoLightly writes:
What a shame. I was holding out hope that by some miracle, she would pull through. My deepest sympathies to her family, friends, and associates!
March 19, 2008
4:39 p.m.
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catbirdsitter writes:
"I assume she had an excellent doctor."
"I also assume when the doctor gave her the medicine that led to her eventual death, that the doctor didn't dream she'd have a such a severe reaction."
"There was no reason to assume malign intent on the part of the anesthesiologist..."
Hunnnhhh??? A lot of assuming going on. Why would you assume such things? As one of those people you're assuming so many good things about, please allow me to scare you: malpractice in medicine is rampant, kills people every day and you will never know about the vast majority of it. A well-entrenched conspiracy of silence pervades our medical culture. As well, malpractice is rarely about "malign intent"; it is about negligence, a very different thing. If the anaesthesiologist was negligent, he/she derves to be held accountable. Care to publish their name and phone? Can I assume he/she did not charge you?
Please check on your physician and report all of your experiences, good and bad, at this website: http://RateMDs.com.
March 19, 2008
4:51 p.m.
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Jennie writes:
So sad to read this. My thoughts are with her family and friends.
March 19, 2008
5:01 p.m.
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Shya writes:
I am saddened to learn of Leslie's untimely death. My deepest sympathy to her family.
We have Kacey furniture in our home. At this time it seems special.
March 19, 2008
5:27 p.m.
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nhfapresident writes:
Those of us in the furniture industry had a deep respect and appreciation for Leslie and we will miss her greatly. She was a strong leader and good example in our industry. Her energy was legendary and her intelligence was respected.
I appreciate reading all of your kind comments and by reading them I realize just how much she meant to her/your community.
We send our love and support to her family and her friends. Thank you for appreciating her.
NHFA is the National Home Furnishings Association and Leslie sat on our Board of Directors on two different occassions. We will miss her.
March 19, 2008
6:37 p.m.
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lappy writes:
Thanks Leslie for your integrity, humour and professionalism, you were one of a kind....
March 19, 2008
6:47 p.m.
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mhow88 writes:
My family and I are deeply saddened by Leslie's passing. She was a beautiful, compassionate, kind, generous and awesome human being!! One who truly respected and cared about people.. A person from whom we should all take example and strive to better ourselves and and our world.. We'll miss you Leslie.. May you rest in peace and be surrounded by God's Eternal Love..
Our sincerest thoughts and prayers to her family.
March 19, 2008
7:35 p.m.
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kathyM writes:
I am also saddened by the death of a fine person. I'm new to Colorado, so I didn't "spend time" with Mrs. Fishbein like so many of you did. But it is obvious that she was a much-liked representative of a respected Denver institution.
jvb, If there is anything one learns from watching a loved one suffer and die, it is this: Sometimes you get a miracle that is different from the one you prayed for.
March 19, 2008
8:18 p.m.
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bluheron writes:
I am deeply saddened. I met Leslie years ago at an entrepreneurial business conference. She was energetic, bright, extremely witty and shared her truth with all of us. She touched our hearts and stimulated our minds.
When I first heard of this tragedy, I was devastated and hoping for a miracle. Now that she is gone, I feel a sincere loss and once again realize how very precious each day of life truly is.
Although our world has lost a joyous and vibrant woman, heaven has embraced one.
My heartfelt condolences to her entire family.
March 20, 2008
12:13 a.m.
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DenverGold writes:
An untimely loss is the hardest loss to take...no real time to prepare for it. It saddens me to hear how it happened. My condolences go out to the family.
March 20, 2008
7:19 a.m.
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Reading123 writes:
My feelings are with her family during this difficult time.
I do want to know the drug that was injected though. NSAIDS are commonly injected into the spine in a doctor's office and not in a hospital setting. I want to know if it was a steroid or an NSAID, and which one. Perhaps this can help others who need to make decisions as to whether they want an injection. Hopefully the Rocky Mountain News will find this out (please), so this can help others.
My heartfelt condolences to her family.
March 20, 2008
7:54 a.m.
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Peach writes:
I, too, was hoping this strong and courageous woman would pull through. My condolences to her family...
My sister receives corticosteroid injections in her back and shoulder--I would also like to know more, for the safety of others who do the same. It was a real wake-up call.
March 20, 2008
8:53 a.m.
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wow writes:
How terribly sad. I was so hoping that she would pull through.
Leslie was iconic to Denver. It was nice to put the T.V. on after time away, and see her...then you knew you were home. She'll be missed.
March 20, 2008
9:56 a.m.
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OhBrother writes:
When I used to see those commericals it made me feel like I was home. Very noticable but not in a "shag man" type of way, more like a used sneaker...just felt like normal.
I travel, but you know your in back in Colorado once you see those Kacey ads. I'm sure she will be missed in more ways then people may think
March 20, 2008
10:07 a.m.
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jvb writes:
The third blogger, Lisa Martin, brought god into the commentary; if she believes in intelligent design she should tour America's children's hospitals.
After being baptized a Catholic in my crib by my ignorant parents with their venial, cardinal, and mortal sins that would take them to purgatory, hell, or heaven complete with intercessory, self-serving, and imprecatory petitions to a bearded macho-male chauvinist in the sky, I eventually found the truth.
The truth is that it is impossible to exaggerate the evil this macho-male chauvinist has done on planet earth. "God bless our Leslie," says Lisa Martin: Why didn't the fiction bless her while she was alive? The answer is in the question: fiction. If you bring superstitious nonsense into the equation, I'm entitled to question it. “God works in mysterious ways,” says the deluded and incredulous: God is created by humans. Keep this holy dude out of it.
March 20, 2008
10:49 a.m.
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wow writes:
JVB-
Tacky.
Criticizing how people honor their departed is cruel and unecessary, no matter what you think of thier beliefs.
Please don't reply to defend your rudeness.
March 20, 2008
11:27 a.m.
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jvb writes:
"wow" epistle merits reply: Spell it "their" not "thier" and while replying to "wow" and being a good samaritan I'll caution Catholics: The Pope says if you are married and enjoy sex it is a sin. Nothing will get you into purgatory or hell as quick as sin. Men: Do not enjoy sex with your wife. The world's chief celibate at the Vatican speaks as does the Mormon prophet: "When the prophet speaks thinking stops.
March 20, 2008
1:54 p.m.
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jvb writes:
John Rebchook, started this spook stuff with: ""Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family."
There is nothing wrong with "thoughts" going out to the family; however, "prayers" going out to the family are so great an absurdity it must be mentioned:
How in the name of Hades are prayers going to alleviate any concerns? I am simply chronicling the absurdity of petitioning a spook in the sky for some kind of salve to do what? Prayer is such an exercise in futility. Rev. Hague, who hates Catholics, says, “When 50 million Christian evangelicals align themselves with 5 million American Jews standing together in behalf of Israel it is a match made in heaven,” suggesting a giant blood-bath in an apocalyptic scene leading to a war between the East and the West and the return of Jesus Christ in biblical prophecy between Islam and Christianity.
This is the legacy of prayer: Holy Horrors. The Evangelist W. Bush commences five years ago: “Go Forth And Teach All Nations,” and three $trillion later with holy horror in human count, his prayer does not fare well in Islam land where Bush’s conduct results in a secular country turned into an Islamic country where thousands of praying Christians are slaughtered and their churches ravaged.
March 21, 2008
9:36 a.m.
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rg writes:
The loons are on the loose placing so much value on their opinions they will kill others on account of it which is typical of billions of believers. The Muslims will sever your head from your neck; the Christians will declare your opinion heresy and torture, stone, hang, burn at the stake the heretic; the Mormons will slit the apostate and gentiles throat from ear to ear: All this because the loons think their opinion significant. “Nothing fails like prayer;” on the today show a man declared dead comes to life and his loved ones call it divine intervention. The credulous can’t see how silly this divine intervention is just as I at one time was convinced my god was greater than your god.
Spencer, Mommay, Cherl, Pam and others come to my defense when my opinion is attacked; I come to jvb's defense willing to die, in the words of Voltaire, for him that he not be stifled. Claiming jvb crawls out from under a rock insults him whereas jvb insults prayer. If he insults god, surely god can handle a human insult. Richard Grimes: Deicide. http://www.geocities.com/r22037/think...
Deicide Corner: “Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.” -- Blaise Pascal