Funeral services for Florence Ethel Klein, 93, of Champaign, formerly of Great Neck, Long Island, New York, will be at 11 a.m., Sunday, August 24, 2008, at Sinai Temple, 3104 W. Windsor Rd., Champaign. Rabbi Norman Mark Klein will officiate.

Burial will be Riverside Cemetery, Saddle Brook, New Jersey, on Tuesday, August 26, 2008.

Heath and Vaughn Funeral Home, 201 N. Elm, Champaign, is assisting the Klein family.

Mrs. Klein died at noon, Friday, August 22, 2008, at home.

She was born June 2, 1915, in New York City, a daughter of William and Gertrude (Gerling) Rudick. She married Samuel H. Klein on July 17, 1942, in New York City. He preceded her in death on August 22, 1981.

Mrs. Klein is survived by two sons, Rabbi Norman Mark Klein, whose wife is Dr. Andrea R. Klein, of Champaign, and David Theodore Klein, of Marshfield Vermont; and three grandchildren, Tessa Klein of New York City and Washington, D.C., and Sarah and Samuel Klein, both of Champaign. She was preceded in death by one brother, Milton Rudick, and one sister, Ruth Weinberg.

Mrs. Klein graduated from Hunter College in 1934, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree at the age of 19. She taught in the Business Department for 37 years at Walton High School and Francis Lewis High School, retiring in 1971. She was chairperson at REAP (Retired Education and Professionals) in Great Neck, New York. She served as Head of Community Concerts in Great Neck, where she resided for 50 years before moving to Champaign.

She was a member of Sinai Temple, Champaign.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Klein’s memory may be made to Sinai Temple, Champaign.

Condolences may be offered to the family by e-mail at www.heathandvaughn.com.

Shalom Rabbi Klein and Andrea,

Your mother was a very special lady and you must be missing her very much. When I gave my presentation at Sinai Temple last year, she sat near the front, hands on her cane, completely focused on me and what I had to say. Throughout the talk, I would gravitate toward her kind face, and there she was, being attentive, even if she didn’t agree with me. I knew I had seen her and possibly met her before, but at the time I did not know she was Rabbi Klein’s mother. After my talk was over, she motioned me over to her and said some words to me with tears spilling from her eyes. Then she put her hands on my face and looked into my eyes deeply and said, “Thank you.” It was from her deep heart and I was so blest. Later, I figured out it was Mrs. Klein, which blest me even more.

I could not attend yesterday’s service for your mother, but right here, I just said the 23rd Psalm in her memory, and as a prayer for both of you, her grandchildren and her family. This time it was me with tears in my eyes.

May these days, when the L-rd makes you lie down in the green grass, may they restore your soul, give you bright hope, and fill you with love for and precious memories of Florence Klein. I really liked her and can almost feel her hands on my cheeks.

Love and shalom,
Carrie Burns