THE PLAINS, Ohio — Sue Nicoson Klein passed away peacefully at the Lindley Inn in The Plains on May 13, 2023, after a short illness. She was preceded in death by Leonard Klein, her husband of 53 years. She is survived by her two children, Jennie Klein and Darius Klein; her son-in-law, Victor “Jay” Davis II; her two grandchildren, Victor Davis III and Madeleine Davis; and her beloved cat, Sunshine.
Sue was born in December 1938 in Des Moines, Iowa. She grew up in Rolfe, Iowa, where she graduated high school in 1957. After high school, Sue attended the University of Iowa, where she majored in vocal music. She met Leonard there and they were married in 1961 in Iowa City just after she graduated college. Sue and Leonard adopted the first of many dachshunds, Alice, shortly after getting married.
In 1970, Sue moved to Southern New Jersey with her family. She taught kindergarten in the Somers Point School System for many years until she retired in 2004. She and Leonard loved to travel, and took trips to Greece, Germany, and France after they had both retired. After Leonard passed away in 2013, Sue moved to Athens to be closer to her grandchildren and traveled frequently to Seattle to visit Darius.
Sue loved music, singing, playing the piano, gardening, knitting, traveling, reading, hiking, and animals. She was a wonderful kindergarten teacher who cared deeply about all of her students and her colleagues and continued to stay in touch with many of them after she had retired. She sang in the church choir of the First United Methodist Church in Athens and volunteered at the local library and the humane society.
Sue’s final two years were spent at the Lindley Inn, where she was able to continue to participate in everything that she enjoyed including singing, exercise classes, book clubs, field trips and cinnamon Saturdays. Her family is very grateful to the staff at the Lindley Inn for the care and kindness that they gave to Sue. The family wishes to thank OhioHealth Hospice, who ensured that Sue’s final days were free of pain.
There will be a celebration of Sue’s Life at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, at Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home on May Street in Athens. Friends and family may call from 2 p.m. until the beginning of the celebration. Sign the online guestbook or leave a message of sympathy at www.hughesmoquinfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Athens County Public Libraries or the Athens County Humane Society.
