Shirlee Klein - Obituary

n March 7, 2008, Shirlee M. Klein, longtime resident of Bowie, Maryland, died peacefully at the age of 82, with her family by her side. During the last 10 months of her life, she resided at Somerford Place in Annapolis, an Alzheimer's assisted living facility. Born in Rochester New York in 1925 to Jacob and Rose Bloom, Shirlee was the youngest of three girls. In 1943, she graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in Rochester, NY. After graduation, she worked as a secretary at Eastman Kodak. In 1954, while working at a resort in the Catskill Mountains, she met Frederick P. Klein, of Brooklyn, NY. They were married in 1955 and settled in Brooklyn. Shirlee had three children, Paul, Howard and Lisa. In 1968, the Klein family moved to Bowie, Maryland. Shirlee was a devoted wife and mother. In addition to her family, Shirlee dedicated much of her life volunteering for the congregants of Nevey Shalom in Bowie, where she was ever-active in the Sisterhood. After her children were grown, Shirlee returned to the workforce as a secretary at various companies in Prince George's County. She was an avid reader and enjoyed all kinds of puzzles and word games. Shirlee was a very caring and empathetic person. Even with advanced Alzheimer's, she tried to care for and comfort her fellow residents of Somerford Place. Most of all, Shirlee adored children and doted on them whenever the opportunity presented itself. She was predeceased by her sister, Betty Greenberg. Shirlee is survived by her devoted and beloved husband of 53 years, Frederick P. Klein of Bowie MD, her sister Arlene Guite of Fairhaven, NY, her three children, Paul B. Klein of Potomac Maryland, Howard B. Klein of Plainville, Massachusetts and Lisa E. Barron of Fairfax, Virginia, her three beloved grandchildren, Jacob E. Barron and Katie M. Barron of Fairfax, Virginia and Lydia Z. “Susu” Klein of Plainville Massachusetts, and numerous nieces and nephews.