Lillian Vernon

Lillian Vernon (born Lilli Menasche; March 18, 1927 – December 14, 2015) was an American businesswoman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. She founded the Lillian Vernon Corporation in 1951 and served as its chairman and CEO until July 1989, though she continued to serve as executive chairman until 2003.
Personal life.
Vernon was born in Leipzig, Germany. Because they were of Jewish descent the Vernon family fled to the United States in 1937.
Vernon died from congestive heart failure in Manhattan, New York City at the age of 88.