Elaine Honigblum Kaufman

Elaine Honigblum Kaufman, loving wife, mother and grandmother, actress and fashionista, made her grand entrance into heaven on June 26, 2013. "Lainie", to those who knew and loved her, was a guiding light filled with endless elegance, beauty, grace and humor. Born in Merna, Nebraska on October 30, 1931, Lainie moved to San Antonio with her family when she was 9 years old. She graduated from Jefferson High School and attended San Antonio College before starting her family in 1952. She became a leading lady of the SA stage and for over 60 years appeared in dozens of productions, starring in many wonderful plays like The Moon is Blue, Born Yesterday, and Last of the Red Hot Lovers. Lainie was an inspiration and mentor to many young and talented actors and playwrights over the years. She regularly performed and loved being an integral part of the Extended Run Players at Incarnate Word University, and she proudly served on the Board of Las Casas Scholarship Fund. Tommy Tune, who recently performed at the Majestic Theater, dubbed her his Yellow Rose of Texas when he presented her with those same petals. While living in Los Angeles in the 1990s, Lainie pursued a professional acting career and was cast in the TV documentary "Angels, Our Mysterious Messengers" in which she played, appropriately, a beautiful angel. Lainie's impeccable style and fashion sense landed her a job as buyer for Julian Gold, traveling annually to market in New York City. Later she would dress movie stars and celebrities at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills and her expertise and talents in fashion made her the leading authority to friends and family on any fashion-related topic. Lainie and her husband Tommy, who dated in high school, reconnected decades later and fell in love. They treasured each other's company and enjoyed the delights of Paris, Prague, Lake Louise and New York City, although Lainie claimed one of her finest hours was at home recently, shutting out Tommy at Gin, 150 to Zip. Lainie loved to laugh and she will long be remembered by the many special friends she made in all walks of life. She is preceded in death by her beloved first husband of 49 years, Jay S. Honigblum, father of her four boys and her parents, Rose and Sam Weinstein, and brothers, Bernard and Robert Weinstein. She is survived by her husband Tom Kaufman, her sons David Honigblum, Steven (and Patricia) Honigblum, Tom (and Alane) Honigblum, Gregg (and Shannon) Honigblum, and stepson Warren Kaufman (and Brian Allen), sisters in law, Phyllis Weinstein and Joan (Charles) Way, Estelle "Prissy" Kaufman; grandchildren, Amanda Honigblum, Zachary Honigblum, Samuel Honigblum, Zoe Honigblum, Jack Honigblum and Leo Honigblum, and her nieces and nephews, Fay Honigblum Seeman, Al Honigblum, Carrie Honigblum, Michael Weinstein, Anne Leslie Joseph and Edward Weinstein. The family wishes to express our gratitude to the many compassionate caregivers at Methodist, Remington, VITAS and Emeritus. Special thanks to our friend Ruthie. You were her rock and your gentle hand helped us all pull through.

SERVICE

FRIDAY

JUNE 28, 2013

10:30 A.M.

TEMPLE BETH-EL

211 BELKNAP

In lieu of flowers please donate to the American Lung Association or Las Casas Scholarship fund. Interment in Beth El Memorial Park.