LOUISIANA RETAILER JACQUE CAPLAN DIES AT 81

Jacqueline Segall Caplan, who spent over 40 years in retail management alongside her husband Edwin at Caplan’s Men’s Shop in Alexandria, Louisiana, died on Saturday, July 30 at age 81. She retired from the business in 1998.

In addition to her work at the shop, Caplan was well known for her work in the arts. She founded the Central Louisiana Summer Student Theatre; directed musical and religious productions for many local schools and churches throughout the years; and was president of the Arts Council of Central Louisiana, chairing its executive committee in 2004 when the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center opened.

Dedicated to both community and health services, she was the first female president of the Jewish Temple in Alexandria. She also served as chair of the Rapides Regional Medical Center Board and was the honorary co-chair of the first Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure in Alexandria.

Caplan was recognized many times for her contributions to the community, including being the recipient of the Louisiana Governor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts, the Community Service Award for the city of Alexandria, and the YWCA Spirit of Giving Award, among many others.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Edwin J. Caplan; her children, Judy Caplan Ginsburgh and husband Robert of Alexandria, Stephen Caplan and wife Adrienne of Henderson, Nevada, and Sherry Frye and husband Charlie of Henderson, Nevada, as well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.