Doris Mae Klein

WALLINGFORD - Doris Mae Klein, 81, the beloved matriarch of four feisty generations and the surrogate mother and caretaker of many relatives, in-laws, and friends, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2009, surrounded by her family in the home of her granddaughter, Kim Osmer. Kim and Jim, and their children, Emily and Sarah, had cared for Doris in their home during her 5-year fight against lung cancer.

Mrs. Klein was a faithful servant and member of St. John Fisher, the Women's Guild and the Legion of Mary of the church. She was born in Maryland on May 15, 1928 and moved to West Palm Beach in 1982. She moved to Vermont in 2005 to live with her granddaughter, where she attended St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Her last days in Vermont were spent amongst family and her many new friends from the community enjoying lunch with her ladies, attending her great-granddaughters' sporting events, and hanging out with her cat.

Doris married Frank John Klein Jr., with whom she had four children. She continued caring for her husband daily after he was admitted to a nursing home and she was with him when he died from complications of Alzheimer's disease. She also provided long-term support and care to her daughter, Nancy Klein.

She also was a firecracker who became a nationally ranked player in duckpin bowling. She frequently played golf and passed along her passion for playing to her family, ultimately living on a two-course country club in Florida.
The playful character that she instilled in her family was exuded in a wrestling match that broke out shortly before her death and ended with her loved ones sitting at her feet when she died. Her nature was to nurture in her own special way and to share her love through playful provocation. Her family is sure that that is why she chose that time to let go and be with her beloved husband, daughter, and cherished Lord God.

While she will be missed, her spirit lives on in the lives of everyone she touched, bringing them a sense of contentment, knowing she is in heaven looking after them.
She is survived by her sons Frank Klein, Bob Klein, and Tom Klein, in addition to 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at Quattlebaum Funeral Home in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday, May 27. In Vermont, a reception will follow a Memorial Mass at St. Patrick's Church in Wallingford on Wednesday, June 17, at 6 p.m. In Maryland, a Memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 13.

Memorial contributions can be sent to The American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, or the Humane Society.