Former Milwaukeean Esther Kayman Aronin (nee Lubar) died Aug. 22 in Coconut Creek, Fla. She was 88.
She was born in Cottage Grove, Wis., and grew up on a farm west of Milwaukee. When she was 16, she and four sisters and seven other women shared a two-bedroom apartment in Milwaukee.
She married Bernhard (Bernie) Kayman, a pharmacist, in 1935. In the 1950s, they each opened competing clothing stores on Wells St. She was a pioneer in the retail clothing industry. Owner of Gloria Kay Uniforms, she revolutionized the industry with her introduction of colored uniforms and trendy styles.
Beginning with a small store on 27th and Wells Sts., the business grew to four locations in Milwaukee with branches in Appleton and Madison. She worked closely with manufacturers to supply hundreds of businesses in the 1960s and ’70s with innovative designs.
After Kayman’s death in 1970, she married Aaron Aronin in 1972 and they retired to Fort Lauderdale in 1978, where she pursued stained glass sculpture. In addition to her art, she loved adventures and enjoyed traveling and ethnic cooking.
She was a former member of Congregation Shalom in Milwaukee.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by daughters Lynne Kayman of Phoenix, Ariz., and Janus McCrea of Ft. Lauderdale; sisters Sara Naimon and Dorothy Rapkin of Milwaukee; three grandsons; and two great-grandsons.
Graveside services were held Aug. 25 at Mound Zion Cemetery here.
The family would appreciate memorials to Vitas Hospice, 5420 NW 33rd Ave,. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309.
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