Nathalie Lazarus Klaus

KLAUS, Nathalie Lazarus, widely admired for her generous heart, skills as a hostess, and sense of style, died Saturday, September 20, 2008 at the age of 92. Her marriage to the late Philip Whitlock Klaus Sr. thrived for 68 years. The middle daughter of Morton Lazarus and Loraine Newman Lazarus, Mrs. Klaus was born in Lynchburg, Va. on March 15, 1916. At the age of 9 months, she moved with her family to Baltimore, Md. There she attended her beloved Park School. Mrs. Klaus was a quiet philanthropist and an active supporter of numerous Richmond charities. With her husband, she was an ardent supporter of the Valentine Museum, endowing the Nathalie and Philip W. Klaus Gallery. The costume gallery at the museum bears her name. Mrs. Klaus also was a board member of Richmond on the James, the Historic Richmond Foundation, the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, and the Retreat Hospital. She was a charter member of the Council of the Virginia Museum Fine Arts, and served on the board of the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden for many years. She is survived by her son, Philip Whitlock Klaus Jr.; and daughter, Susan L. Klaus; her beloved grandchildren, James Whitlock Klaus and Ashley Klaus Turner, and their mother, Nancy Fox Klaus; Ashley's husband, Joel Turner; her great-grandchildren, Will, Nathalie and Bennett Turner; her sister, Loraine Lazarus Lobe; and three nieces and a nephew. A private service will be held at Hebrew Cemetery. The family welcomes friends to join them in the Robins Room at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden on Wednesday, September 24, from 3 to 5 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Nathalie L. Klaus Costume Endowment Fund, Valentine Richmond History Center, 1015 E. Clay St., Richmond, Va. 23219, the Children's Garden, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond, Va. 23227 or any of the other charities mentioned above. On the occasion of their golden wedding anniversary, Phil Klaus said of his bride; "She has been a tower of strength as a wife, counselor, companion, friend and civic leader". She will remain in the hearts of her family and many friends.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.