Julie Klavans

Klavans, Julie

66, passed away peacefully on September 15, in Largo, Florida with her family by her side. Julie was born July 19, 1959 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the late Virginia and Dean Swanson. Julie lived a life defined by love, compassion, and service to others.

Julie attended Emory University in 1977, where she met her husband, Scott Klavans. After graduating in 1981, Julie started her career as a Certified Public Accountant with Arther Andersen, working in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Boston. She eventually became CFO for CFO Magazine before she and her family settled in Clearwater, Florida and built their forever home.

For 41 years, Julie shared a wonderful marriage with Scott. She was the proud mother of four daughters, Meghan, Taylor, Madison, and Sydney, and welcomed three sons-in-law, Jourdan Cancienne, Michael Brubaker, and Daniel Crowley, into the family. Nothing lit up Julie's life more than being "Gigi" to her two grandsons, Hank and Bobby. Julie is also survived by her brother, Jeff Swanson (Nancy); her sisters-in-law, Melissa Landy (David) and Jodie Klavans, her mother-in-law, Helene Klavans; and her loving nieces and nephews Jacob, Max, Samantha, Oliver, Erika, and Collin.

Service to her community was one of Julie's deepest passions. Over the years she volunteered as a Guardian ad Litem, showing up for families and children in need. She also shared her leadership and heart on the boards of Shorecrest Preparatory School, Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Habitat for Humanity, and the Florida Holocaust Museum. She loved to travel and cared deeply about the world we share.

Julie will be remembered for her generous spirit, boundless empathy, and genuine love of life. Her legacy lives on in the community she cared so deeply for and, most of all, in her family - who will carry forward her example of love and service.

Julie's service will be held at Temple B'nai Israel on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Julie's memory to Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services: jewishgulfcoast.org/tribute-and-memorial-gifts.

Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home and Memorial Park

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