Audrey Loa Andrews Kaiman, 89, of Jonesborough died on Monday, November 6, 2017 at Lakebridge Health Care Center.
She was born to Walter and Edith Andrews on March 15, 1928 in Clintonville, Wisconsin. Her youth was spent in Wisconsin and California. She attended Lawrence University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and graduated from East Tennessee State University.
Audrey married Bernard Kaiman in 1950. They were married almost 63 years until Bernard’s death in 2013.
In 1965 the couple moved to Jonesborough where they were among the early leaders of the preservation, restoration, and revitalization of Tennessee’s oldest town. Many will remember the Old Sweet Shop Ice Cream Parlor in downtown Jonesborough. Audrey bought that building in the early days of Jonesborough’s revitalization and created an old fashioned ice cream parlor complete with player piano. Audrey was also instrumental in the building of the Jonesborough Public Library. Audrey loved Jonesborough!
Audrey had many interests. She was an avid reader (and was a reading teacher in the public schools), wonderful cookâ€"especially of interesting ethnic dishes, and an active gardener of both beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables. She was, along with her husband, a leader in the international folk dance community and helped found The East Tennessee Folk Dance group and the local Scottish Country Dance group. They traveled the world, learning dances, customs, and foods of many countries and collected beautiful costumes of many peoples.
Audrey was a long-time member of Jonesborough’s Schubert Club, actively participating in all aspects of club membership and enthusiastically supporting the club’s sponsorship of her beloved library.
She was also an active hiker and enjoyed many hikes with the Paul Fink Adventure Hikers. She loved backpacking and participated in many Sierra Club hiking trips around the country.
Audrey leaves behind many friends who find themselves very sad that she is no longer dancing or hiking or cooking or remembering everyone’s birthday with a special note or funny card BUT we are so very happy to have shared her in our lives and thankful for all she taught us and will always treasure her in our hearts.
Special thanks are given to the caring staff of Lakebridge Health Care Center, especially to Toni, Gary, and Dorothy. The love and care they gave to Audrey was a beautiful gift to her. Also, thanks to MSHA Hospice Care for their support during the past few weeks. What a wonderful service you provide.
Audrey requested that there be no visitation or service. The East Tennessee Folk Dancers will host a dinner and dance to remember and honor Audrey on January 1, 2018, at the First United Methodist Church gym in Johnson City. Friends are welcome.
If you would like to donate a gift in Audrey’s memory, please consider Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Jonesborough Public Library, or Washington County Animal Shelter (Audrey loved cats!).
11/20/2017
Jane MacMorran
I have such fond memories of Scottish country dancing with Audrey
and Bernard over the years. I remember all the laughter, stories, and
jokes that, literally, kept us on our toes. Audrey welcomed us into the
fold with her kindness and gentle spirit. My thoughts go out to her
friends and family.
11/18/2017
KAREN KAIMAN REIZMAN
My aunt Audrey in this picture and the one on the
nursing home post looks alot like Donna Reed in her
younger days. Reminds me of movie A Wonderful Life.
Two scenes in particular the library scences and
the scences where they buy there first house.
Bernie and Audreys love always shined through just
like that scene where he would give her the moon if
he could and that beautiful song. Enjoyed many a
Folk Festival in Milwaukee with some of you. I am
dissapointed though about the no service. When I
was kid growing up and when my own dad died Audrey
would say I want a Southern type of funeral--a
celebration of life. They are happy for the most
part. Sometimes play video of their lifes instead
of the sadness. She really wanted this. As a kid
also I wanted for them THE KAIMAN INSTITUE OF FOLK
DANCING somewhere--in their memory. Lets make it
happen. She really did have a wonderful life.
My parents, Carl and Dorothy Peters knew Audrey very well.They moved to Jonesborough in 1972 from New York as my Father came to Great Lakes Research in Elizabethton as Chief Patent Counsel.I visited them often with my daughter and I remember all our visits to the Old Sweet Shop Ice Cream Parlor and how my daughter was fascinated with that player piano.My parents were members of their dance groups as well.They had fond memories of both Bernard and Audrey.My parents had been married for 63 years also when my Mother died in 2004.My father died this past year.I came to TN in 2001 to help my Father care for my Mother and they him as well.The Kaimans will always be a part of our Jonesborough memories for three generations in our family.So very sorfry for your loss.
I had the privilege of knowing Audrey and Bernard Kaiman,
starting with the first Oktoberfest folk dance workshop I attended
in 1971. What followed was more Oktoberfest and Spring Fling
workshops, and over 20 get-togethers to attend the annual
Milwaukee Holiday Folk Fair - where we were also welcomed and
hosted by Bernard's brother Ken and his wife Beverly. In addition
to attending the Folk Fair - for which Ken arranged for us to get
the best seats in the house - Ken also made reservations at ethnic
restaurants - and let's not forget dancing to polka bands at the
Blue Canary. I had numerous occasions to visit Audrey and
Bernard at their historic Jonesborough home and to enjoy
Audrey's home-cooked ethnic meals. Audrey always lit up the
room; this is truly the end of an era. As the song goes, "those
were the days my friend, we thought they'd never end ..." My
condolences to Audrey's family and many friends.
Ben Hole
