Jean Hopley Klein

1930 - 2023

Jean Hopley Klein, 93, of South Windsor passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Jean was born on February 16, 1930, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, one of two children of the late Samuel and Nellie Irene (Griffith) Hopley. She was raised in Fitchburg, attended local schools and was a graduate of Fitchburg High School, Class of 1948. She participated in her high school basketball, volleyball, and tennis, winning the tennis tournament. Jean then earned her BA from Elmira College in New York in 1952. She was recognized by her Elmira College Athletic Department for her Fencing prowess and overall athletic skills.

Jean had a passion for history and archaeology. She was the Education Coordinator at the Wood Memorial Library in South Windsor for many years. While at Wood Memorial Library, she taught about the Native Americans with the Amerindian program & oral history interviews in South Windsor. Jean was honored at her retirement in October 2014 by Wood Memorial Library by having The Jean Klein Scholastic Award named for her. She also received the Eugene Policelli Service Award in 2015 for recognition of her years of volunteering.

She was an artist illustrator, and an avid gardener who enjoyed her many animals. She loved the outdoors, cross country skiing, hiking, and travel. However, her greatest joy was spending time with her family and loved ones.



Jean will be missed by her son Stefan Hopley Klein and his wife Laura, daughter Melissa Klein, grandchildren Marlena & Caroline Klein of South Windsor, Jennifer & Lars Botzojorns of Vermont and Elizabeth & Dennis McKinnon of New Hampshire. She will also be remembered by great-grandchildren Uli, Lief, Eidlidh, Grieta & Finn. Also, her niece Connie Buch of NY, and grandnieces and nephews Amy, Ben & Abigail, and cousins Steven Hopley & Jake Trevor. Jean was predeceased by her parents Samuel & Nellie Hopley, husband Morton Klein, brother Richard Hopley, children Susan Botzow & Jonathan Klein, and family Alison King, Shirley Buch, Marcia Buch, Lori Woodhouse, and loved ones.



Calling hours will be at Samsel and Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Rd., South Windsor, CT 06074, on Saturday, July 22, 2023, from 2:00 to 4:00 with a service at 3:00 pm. Private burial will be at Cathedral of the Pines Cemetery in Rindge, New Hampshire.

Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to: Friends of Wood Memorial Library in support of The Jean Klein Scholastic Award named in her honor to enable schools outside of South Windsor to come and experience the field trips, the exhibits, and attend educational lecture series in her memory.

Friends of Wood Memorial Library, Jean Klein Scholastic Award, P.O. Box 131, South Windsor, CT 06074. To leave an online condolence please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com