Colorado & Denver News

DENVER (CBS4) ― Leslie Fishbein, the president of Kacey Fine Furniture, died March 19, 2008 at noon, her family said in a statement. (Full Story)

Afterwards, CBS4 viewers shared comments about Leslie ...

Cem & Paricia Mesta
I don't know why, but my wife and I are just sad. God takes care of everyone, may she rest in peace.

Shelli & Richard Mona
Wow! What a Legacy Leslie leaves! My husband and I only know Leslie by her commercials through Kasey Fine Furniture but were both always drawn to watch until her commercials were over. She had a magnetism and honesty quality that shows her realism is truth. That's hard to display over a TV screen if your any one else, but if you knew Kasey personally, according to the person she was (reading a lot of the comments made by ones who knew her well) she was more than just a head of a company, and a great commercial maker, and a pillar of the community; she was a compassionate humanitarian too.
 
So even though we didn't know her personally in person, we feel we did know a little part of her and because of the comments we've read now know even a little more information about her and are blessed. The situation she went through regarding her back pain is very much a part of our lives too with my husband having chronic back pain and as such has had a couple of procedures of cortisone shots in his back. Our broken hearts go out to you if that was the same procedure which didn't work for her. In that possible truth, tears come to our eyes for your loss for you and your family and friends.
Mrs. Shelli Mona


Linda Evans
Even though I never met Leslie, I always looked forward to all of her commercials but especially her birthday-discount commercials. I remember thinking each year how I thought she was trapped in youth because she was so beautiful and never seemed to age. She always made me smile and I felt like I knew her.

When I heard about what happened to her I was in total shock as was the rest of the Denver metro area. Leslie has left behind a legacy of good memories for those who knew her and for those of us who didn't. My prayers and sympathy goes out to her husband, friends and family.


Josh and Rebecca Gintz
We watched her commercials every morning while getting ready for work. We'd often laugh and say, "Yes, yes, we know. The sale ends Tuesday!" She seemed like such a genuine person, we are sad for the family and the community and will miss seeing her pretty face every morning.


Lee Cazes - former employee
I cannot stop crying. I worked at Kacey Fine Furniture the entire time I lived in Colorado from 1994 to 1999. I often hear what an amazing businesswoman she was, she was an amazing businessperson. An amazing designer and one of my favorite people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and working for. She helped me get a job as a manufacturer's rep in Northern CA for one of Kacey Fine Furniture's suppliers: Rowe Furniture.

I knew so little about business when I started at Kacey, she made everyone conscious of what it takes to turn a profit by running the business by open book management. Who opens their books to employees? Kacey did and it made all of us cognizant of what it takes to make money. She always said at meetings that we have babies and families to take care of.

She even came out to breakfast while my parents were visiting. She met my mom and my aunt when they came to Denver.

I will never forget seeing her move furniture around the store. She had an amazing disposition and the best sense of humor. I would josh with her about her birthday sale and ask her, Leslie, weren't you 44 last year?

My heartfelt condolences go out to Jack, Shirley, Sam and her whole adoring family.


Theresa Freeman
The venue for her memorial will not be nearly large enough to hold all the people that Leslie touched. While I did not know her personally, I had seen her for years here in Denver in commercials and in her store.  I have a few pieces of Kacey fine furniture in my home, and with her commercials I truly felt like she was a personal friend of mine.  I wish peace for the family and friends of hers.  This tragedy is such a loss and she will be missed.


Elaine Callas-Williams
Leslie and I were in Junior League at the same time and worked closely on one of the Junior League's committees. She was so energetic, conscientious and anxious to make a real difference -- to contribute to a greater cause. I remember her passion, intelligence and sense of humor as some of her most enduring qualities. Losing Leslie is a tragic loss to all of us in Denver. I will remember her with admiration always.


Patrick Walker
Hello, my name is Patrick. I worked for Leslie a couple of years ago, at Kacey Fine Furniture. She treated me with the dignity and respect, which are characteristics that are sorely lacking today. Leslie was definitely an angel of a human being. My prayers are for her and her family.

Pat Collins
Leslie stopped into my store several weeks ago. I recognized her but did not want to draw attention to a celebrity. She was so kind and had such an amazing sense of humor that I laughed harder in those 20 minutes than I have since. Maybe never again. 

Please accept my sincere condolences to those who knew her and especially to her family. Many, many people were touched by her wonderful spirit.

Michael Aragon
I've seen her on all of her commercials and she will be missed.

Lisa Martin
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.


Pamela Jakobson
Leslie has been on my mind every day since I first heard about this awful event.
Please accept my condolences.  She was a wonderful person.
Cherish your memories.

Ricky Laufer 
Another piece of old Denver passed away today. My heart goes out to her family. Godspeed Leslie.

Stacey Scattergood
I never grew tired of your commercials Leslie. You have been such an inspiration to us. I know you are at peace and we will see you again! God Bless. Watch over your family as they will need you.

Eric Bakke
I had an opportunity to photograph Leslie a couple of years ago for a story about the family business and how well they treated their employees. Sure, I knew the television commercials, but to meet her was special. She was kind, considerate and professional, giving me all the time I needed to do my job. Then there was her humor and fun side. She had me in stitches half the time. I left that day with deep respect and admiration for a lady that was part of the good old Denver.

Herb & Chris
We will miss your beautifull smile.

Brooke, Silverthorn
Leslie will be truly missed. I worked at the Kacey Corporate Office and saw Leslie usually on a daily basis. Leslie was truly a wonderful person and a great boss! Her smile always lit up the office. She has been on mind since I heard about her sickness. Leslie's husband, Sam and her family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Harriett Lawrence
My heart goes out to this family. Such a tragic loss. My daughter, Davey Michelle, just purchased a beautiful couch from your store in January, and Leslie made a comment about her name. She told her it was the most beautiful name she had ever heard of. She thanked her and said to her that her mother named her that. I wanted to call Leslie to personally thank her for being so nice to my daughter, who goes by the name of "Michelle." I named her after my brother who passed away suddenly at the age of 21, two years before she was born. His name was "David Lee Michael." Having a loss like this makes my heart ache, as I have been there. Bless all of you, know that she made an impact on so many, in a beautiful way.

Sincerely,

Harriett A Lawrence.

PS: I loved her commercials; it was like a friend coming into my home. 

Susan Vasey
I worked for Leslie at the Lakewood and Parker stores until a family emergency in November required I leave Kacey Fine Furniture. My heart-felt sympathies to Sam and the entire Barton/Fishbein families during this tragic time. Not only will Leslie be missed by those who knew her personally, but also by those whose lives she touched indirectly with her generous heart and vibrant smile. I'm sure she'll be looking down from the "Edith Ann" chair with a twinkle in her eye!

Suzanne Drexler, Arvada

My husband and I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends. We only knew her from her commercials but felt like we knew her. We will miss her pleasant voice and sweet smile.

Arlene Smith of Terrell, Texas

I am just so sorry to hear about Leslie's death.  I have been watching the story ever since I first heard she was in the hospital.
I am a native of Colorado, and watched Leslie for many years in her commercials.  She seemed like such a wonderful woman.  Truly a part of Colorado.
I moved to Texas a couple of years ago, but keep up with news from home on the Internet.  This just makes me so sad.
My heart goes out to her family and friends.

Cindi & Dave Paladino, Centennial

We never met face to face, that you would know, but you came into my home many times. Your smile, your personality, and your personal warmth came across to me, just the same.
It seems like we have been together a long time, 10 years, as that is how long we have lived here in Colorado.  The first few months we saw you on Television doing your commercials, but there never really seemed like commercials, more like a "friendly" invitation to come into your home.
Now I know even more about your part in the community and how you treated everyone the same, with that same warmth, smile and bubbly personality.
I will miss your smiling face and friendly welcome to your stores, and your family and the community will miss you and everything you have been a part of in the lives of this community.
We will ALL miss you greatly, Leslie - Our deepest Sympathy to your family.

Arthur Joseph Sena, Denver Tech Center

Leslie's delightful personality and bubbly wit will be missed on our TV screens. I can't remember a time when she was not a ubiquitous figure on local channels.  Her impact on our community was not as well known to me, however.  But she strikes me as the kind of person who did not seek publicity for doing the right thing.  Her magnanimous contributions will leave a permanent mark on our city and a legacy for years to come...
Vaya con dios, Leslie Fishbein.

Fahryn Dill, Thornton

My daughter Jennette Dill met her now husband David Kuxhausen while both worked at Kacey's. This brought Leslie into our circle of "people we know." I know Leslie and I are the same age, by her birthday savings each year. I am shocked and sadden to hear of Leslie's passing. The community has lost a great lady.


Debbie, Arvada

I didn't know Leslie personally,but I feel like I did. I am very saddened by this loss. This is affecting me terribly.
To the family I am so very sorry.

Kimberley & John Witte, Longmont

I was a prior employee of Kacey's for 6 + years, and my husband shared the same birthday as Leslie. When he'd come in the store and she was there, she always made a point to say "Hello Birthday Buddy." Leslie always made time for her employees and their questions, solutions, insight or education. She was a teacher, in all aspects, and no person was too big or small. She helped me as a designer to see a bigger, cleaner, warmer picture, with kindness all of the way. Her parents raised a wonderful, intelligent and giving person, and we are very, very sad to say goodbye. It is our love that we pass to her parents and husband, and send you strength. We loved her, and I will never forget her. She is and will always be a shining star in my life.

Joleen Hart - Former Employee, Arvada

My family is truly saddened by Leslie's death and we will never forget what she did for our family.  In 2003 my daughter had to have back surgery.  The day my daughter returned home from the hospital, Leslie called asking if there was anything that we needed and how my daughter was doing.  She also went out of her way to talk to my daughter personally and encourager her during her recovery.  Leslie had never meet my daughter, she only knew us because I worked for Kacey Fine Furniture.  Leslie called numerous times throughout her recovery to talk to my daughter.  Leslie was so amazing with all of the love and support that she gave us during this time.  In November 2003, Leslie and my daughter got to meet for the first time.  Leslie was so wonderful, you would have thought they were long lost friends the way they talked and shared scars.  I saw Leslie a few times after I left Kacey Fine Furniture and the first question out of her mouth was always, "How is your daughter?" Leslie was truly an amazing and loving person.  We will miss her deeply, but she will never be forgotten in our family!!!  Our heartfelt condolences go out to Jack, Shirley, Sam and her whole family.

S.D. Peck, M.D., Lakewood

My wife and I met Leslie once, last year, in the downtown store.  We had bought a small item and saw her as we were checking it out.  We asked our saleslady if we could meet her because we enjoyed her on TV and thought she was a sweet and gracious lady.  We were right.  I wish we could have known her as a friend.  She was a shining light from the unlikely place of commercials on television.  Our thoughts and prayers to her husband, sisters, parents and all who loved her.

Roy and Maggie, Highlands Ranch
 
Your Comment About Leslie Fishbein For Posting on cbs4denver.com:
 
My family and I wanted to extend our most heartfelt condolensces to Leslie's family, especially her husband. We knew Leslie only through Kacey's television commercials but, yet, we are deeply saddened as if we knew her all our lives and like we lost a very dear friend. I believe we feel this way because of the fact that she was such a generous, thoughtful, compassionate and kind human being.. With these exceptional qualities, one has to cry given this sudden loss. We will truly miss seeing her on television but, yet we will carry her thoughts in our hearts throughout our lives.
 
Her legacy of kindness and compassion should be remembered and carried on throughout our own lives so that we can better ourselves and our world. Leslie did that for our world. She made a tremendous impact by making contributions through her kindness and giving of herself. That is why so may people respect and Love her... We will sincerely miss this jewel in our world.. But, Heaven will be gaining a truly precious gem...! Til we meet again...
 
Love and Peace to Leslie!!

Hyman and Hall Family, Denver
We are very sad to hear about Leslie passing. Her commercials made her a part of our family she will be deeply missed.

Jodie Brown of Littleton

I am so sorry to hear about Leslie. I never got the chance to know her but even as a stranger only seeing her in TV commercials, she always had such a sweet smile. That is what she gave to those of us who never knew her ... a great warm smile. I still cannot believe we wont see her cutting another birthday cake and blowing out her candles like we used to. I pray that Sam and any other family members will have great strength during this sad time. If there can be any comfort at all, please know she is no longer in any pain where she is and "yes" I am sure she made it to heaven. Comfort yourself with that thought.
My God bless you all and get you through this sad time, Jodie Brown soap country inc Littleton

Betty Neal

We enjoyed seeing Leslie's commercials every morning, before going about our busy days. What a beautiful, classy lady. Her spirit extended to our home here in Eagle. The way she lived her life is a model for us all. Rest in peace, Leslie!

Additional Resources

Services for Fishbein were held March 21 at Temple Emanuel on 1st and Grape in Denver (51 Grape Street). For more information about making contributions in Leslie's memory, click the link below.





Leslie Ann Fishbein

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