JUDITH CAROL KAPLAN

Condolences & Memories (3 entries)

• We are so sorry to hear about Judy's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Judy was a good friend to both of us and we always enjoyed her company and her wonderful sense of humor. Monty and Mary-Claire Bell - Posted by: Monty and Mary-Claire (friend) on: Mar 20, 2017

• I am so grateful to have met Judy when shopping for unique items and then she hired me to work when she moved to Kennedy (north of Portage Ave). She had a wonderful team who provided excellent and caring service to her clientele. Her directions were very simple: Ask what they are looking for; then ask where and when; then talk to me and I'll tell you what to show her. So I did, and then she explained her rationale... she kept a file on each customer and would assure them that as long as they shopped with her that they would never show up at the same event in the same item. This was a means of ensuring that they could feel confident attending an event - that they would not see a duplicate. I loved Mrs K's carrot cake with cream cheese icing; the Reuben sandwiches from Oscar's; chocolates in the break room; learning how to steam clothes properly, how to work the 2 floors in the Kennedy store. I remember her excitement as she planned for the move to Lombard and sharing space with a men's outlet on the other side. I also remember how frustrating and sad she was that that didn't work out as dreamed. Judy had vision, was a wonderful boss and a loyal friend. Her sense of humor had me chuckling many times, and at time I had to duck into the back and laugh out loud. For example the day a customer was waiting to pay for the items she wanted and As I was writing up the bill I asked "and how did you want to pay?" She pulled a credit card out of her wallet and gave it to me. It was Bay card. I said" This is a Bay card". She said" Yes I know, don't you accept that here?" Judy stepped in as I looked at her for help in how to handle this situation, and I stepped away to the back room where I shook my head in amazement and laughed out loud. When Judy had received payment (using another card), she came into the back and exclaimed "that's a new one for me!" We had lots of laughs as a team and she was flexible with days/hours each of us needed or wanted to work. I was grateful that her hiring me allowed me to build my work wardrobe as I was seeking full-time work and needed to look professional. I learned about color, lines, cuts, what to look for in a professionally made high quality item. I still have things that I treasure from her store (from the 80s) because they are classic and uniquely timeless and now I'm small enough to get back into them, I will miss her hearty laugh, her ability to fill a room with her presence and to extend her love and support to her friends. - Posted by: Lila (Worked for Judy when the store was on Kennedy St and in the process of moving to Lombard ) on: Mar 20, 2017

• Barbara and family. We are so very saddened to read of Judy's passing. Paige and I have very fond memories of our days at the Olympic rink with the Kaplan family! Also our families relationship which grew as friends and neighbors. - Posted by: Penny and Terry Berntt( née Van Der Veken) (Family friend) on: Mar 18, 2017