Deborah Alyn Cannafax, age 71, of Lawrence, KS, passed away Sunday, August 23, 2020, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital of non-COVID related illness.
Deb was born in Amsterdam, NY on August 2, 1949 to Carl C. Bell and Helen A. (Clark) Bell. She attended grade and graduated high school in Johnson Co. KS. She earned a diploma in Hairdressing and Cosmetology from Hays Hairdressing School in 1968.
She married Donald Cannafax and was divorced in the early 70’s.
She worked alongside her mother in Helen’s salon in Overland Park KS, went on to learn bartending in Mission, KS and then went into the restaurant industry as a server. She moved up to being employed as a restaurant manager for Gilbert/Robinson Inc., later called Houlihan’s Restaurant Group for about 20 years.
She worked at the Bristol on the Plaza in Kansas City and J. Gilbert’s in Johnson Co. KS. and became a traveling trainer for a period, opening restaurants in various cities before transferring as manager to Chequers Restaurant in Atlanta GA, working at two locations.
She retired in about 2013 and took part-time work at Kohl’s department store in Atlanta GA, enthusiastically enjoying their generous employee discount.
Deb moved to Lawrence KS in 2018 to be closer to relatives.
Deb was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, David C. Bell of Oskaloosa, KS. She is survived by aunt Jean Clark of Ottawa, KS, cousin Leah Hamilton of Pomona, KS. Jane Bell, sister-in-law of Oskaloosa, KS and the other Clark Family cousins, Dennis, Anita, Vicki and Steve.
Her long-time friends will miss her. Linda White, Overland Park, KS, Pat Trump, Lees Summit, MO and Kip Jean of Portland, OR, formerly of Atlanta, GA.
A private service will be held in the future at Union Cemetery, Centropolis, KS near her mother’s grave and the Clark Family plot.
We are so sorry for your loss. We never met Deb but think of her often. We adopted Beemer. We know he misses her greatly.
Wishing you all strength.
I will very much miss Deb in our Tai Chi classes. She always arrived with a positive attitude and smile on her face. A lovely lady who worked through her physical limitations as best she could. Her presence remains in my heart. I will not forget her. My sincere condolences to Deb’s family and loved ones.