Dr. Mary Alice Klein 1934-2002 Obituary
Dr. Mary Alice Klein, 68, a well known educator and a native of Tucker County, departed this life Saturday afternoon, June 15, 2002, at her home. She fought a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born Jan. 18, 1934, at Stringtown, a daughter of the late Robert Wyatt Lambert and Floda Agnes Hedrick Lambert.
On Aug. 18, 1956, at Sharon, Pa., she married Robert J. Klein, who survives.
Also surviving are one son, Robert Zachary Klein, Morgantown; two daughters, Jennifer Elizabeth Klein, Reston, Va., and Amanda Klein Snyder and husband, Tim, Virginia Beach, Va.; one brother, Robert “Bruz” Lambert and wife, Jeannette, Thomas; two sisters, Hilda Thomas, Thomas, and Shirley Perozziello and husband, Joe, Randallstown, Md.; and four grandchildren, Samantha Fleming, Timmy Snyder, Klye Fleming and Zoe Snyder, all of Virginia Beach, Va.
She was a graduate and valedictorian of Thomas High School with the class of 1951. She was a graduate with the class of 1955 of Shepherd College. During 1978, she earned her masters degree in educational administration at West Virginia University and was one of 11 people who qualified for the first doctoral cohort program, receiving her doctorate in education, while working full-time in 1994. She began her teaching career in Charles Town, and taught in Maryland and Pennsylvania before returning to Tucker County in 1972 to teach at St. George Academy.
Dr. Klein served as principal at Hamrick Elementary beginning in 1978 and served as superintendent of Tucker County School from 1986 to 1999. She became superintendent of Upshur County schools for the last two years of her educational career, retiring to Parsons in June of 2001.
Among her many awards and achievements were West Virginia Superintendent of the Year, Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Scholarship Award for doctoral study in 1993-1994, Superintendent of the Year for music education by West Virginia Music Educators Association in 1992, Tucker County Chamber of Commerce highest award of Tuckineer in 1991, West Virginia Women’s Commission “Celebrate Women” Outstanding Education Award in 1989 and Tucker County Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year Award in 1983.
Her professional and civic organizations include the American Association of School Administrator, president of the West Virginia Association of School Administrators in 2000, Lambda Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Society, Phi Delta Kappa of West Virginia University Chapter and Charter member of the Tucker Community Endowment Foundation, Tucker County Arts Council Board of Directors, Tucker County Chamber of Commerce, president of Tucker County Rotary Club and River City Garden Club.
Dr. Klein always believed in the potential and ability of each person and dedicated her career to providing an educational system that would allow individuals opportunities to strive towards excellence. Dr. Klein’s vision and passion for education as a means for a better quality of life for all people inspired all whom she met. She believed that nothing is safe without honor and integrity and lived her life on those principles.
Friends will be received at Barb & Greenlief Funeral Home from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Thursday morning, Dr. Klein will be moved to the First United Methodist Church at Elkins, where friends may call from noon until 2 p.m., the funeral hour. The Rev. Dr. Ellis Conley and the Rev. Jonas Johnson will officiate. Cremation will follow. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of donations to the Dr. Mary Alice Klein Scholarship, 105 Chestnut St., Parsons, W.Va. 26287.
Dr. Mary Alice Klein 1934-2002 Obituary
