MaryLove Wiley Klein Obituary (1925 - 2020)

Marylove Klein, 94, of Fairfax passed away February 18, 2020, with her family at her side, listening to her favorite hymns. Marylove was born to the late William and Mary Wiley, on August 11, 1925 in Ridgeville, Indiana. She graduated from her local high school (where her father was the principal) and received a BA in Business Management from Indiana University (IU) in 1946. While at Indiana, she worked on some of the first computers, where programming consisted of working with vacuum tubes and patch cords. During WWII, she periodically joined her sorority sisters to cook dinner for hungry Army Air Force cadets who had to fend for themselves to find a meal on Sunday evenings. It was at one of those events she met Kenneth W. Klein of Winnetka, IL, who was undergoing special training at IU. After the war, Ken enrolled on the GI Bill as an Electrical Engineering student at Purdue University and kept up his relationship with Marylove. Marylove and Ken were married in 1948. They moved to Cleveland, OH where their two children, John and Carolyn, were born. Marylove worked both in the home and as the Director of Christian Education for the Bay Village Presbyterian Church. During this time, Ken was a respected engineer for the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, specializing in power transmission and distribution over long distances. In 1974, the family moved to Fairfax, VA where Ken worked for the Energy Research and Development Administration and its successor, the Department of Energy. Over time, Marylove became the Director of Christian Education for Fairfax Presbyterian Church and was an active supporter of the American Lung Association, where she was named Volunteer of the Year for Northern Virginia. Active as a Deacon in the church, she worked in a variety of ministries, including the resettlement of Vietnamese refugee families. She was a beloved member of the Fairfax Presbyterian Church family, always a help to one and all. By 1990, both Ken and Marylove had retired and entered one of the happiest phases of their life together. They were the doting grandparents to twins Kerry and Colin Klein, the sons of John and his wife Gail. Ten years later, Christine Beauchene was born to daughter Carolyn and her husband Phil Beauchene. Over the course of their years together in retirement Marylove and Ken had the opportunity to travel in the US and abroad while still remaining active in their favorite volunteer activities at church and in the community. Together they were able rejoice in their 57 years of marriage. Sadly, Ken died suddenly in 2005. Within a few years, Marylove relocated to the Woodlands independent living facility as one of the charter occupants when the facility opened in 2008. She was a highly respected member of that community. Further sadness occurred when her son John, an engineer for NASA at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory developed ALS and died in 2011. John received NASA's highest medal and a microchip photograph of his likeness and sentiments expressed at his funeral were attached to the Mars Curiosity Rover, which continues to explore the red planet to this day. Despite the challenges presented to her, Marylove continued to live a life of grace and service to those around her. She always extended a sympathetic ear and reached out to those in need of help and encouragement. She lived independently and was a master of the digital age, fully equipped with both computer and tablet. On Sunday, February 16th she let us know that she was unwell. She was admitted to the hospital on Monday and learned that she had a grave condition of the GI tract that was life-threatening. Faced with the prospect of major and debilitating surgery with a poor prognosis for recovery, she decided to "Get on with it". She was admitted to Fair Oaks Hospital's Palliative Care Service on Monday and died peacefully on Tuesday the 18th, surrounded by her family, listening to her favorite hymns. She is survived by her daughter Carolyn Klein (along with her husband Phil Beauchene and their daughter Christine) and by the family of her deceased son John (wife Gail, son Kerry and son Colin and his wife Jeanette). She was our beloved Grandma, and, while we will miss her terribly, we are happy that she is at peace and reunited in love with those who have gone before. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday February 28th at 11AM at Fairfax Presbyterian Church, 10723 Main Street, Fairfax VA 22030. All are invited. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fairfax Presbyterian Church.