Imogen Murden Klein, 89, of Salem, VA, passed away on Friday, September 12, 2014, after a prolonged struggle with many health issues. She was born in Savannah, GA, on July 17, 1925, and was raised in Suffolk, VA. She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Wallace Shelby Klein, Jr.
Imogen graduated from Mary Washington College with a teaching degree and her first teaching assignment was in Chuckatuck, VA, where she made lifelong friends. She and Wallace began their married life together in Richmond where she taught while he finished his pharmacy degree at the Medical College of Virginia. They followed Wallace’s pharmacy career to Emporia and Williamsburg, and then later moved to Salem, where she and Wallace opened and operated Langhorne Pharmacy for 25 years.
Imogen’s commitment to children was most apparent in the impression she made on the children she taught at the First United Methodist Church Preschool where she was also a longstanding and faithful member. A southern girl at heart, she was a devoted and loving wife and mother who tirelessly supported all the many ventures of her busy family, which came to include ten grandchildren. Her beliefs were evident by her steadfast devotion to her church.
Her greatest joys in life were following the comings and goings of her friends and family. One of her favorite things was weeklong beach trips to Cape Hatteras with all 20 Kleins in one beach house! She was a passionate reader who always enjoyed a good book and a loyal fan of ACC basketball. She loved to talk to everyone and enjoyed listening to all the stories of travels and events of family and friends.
She is survived by her four children, Wallace Shelby Klein, III; William Richards Klein and his wife Rebecca Ruth Klein; Imogen Elizabeth Garst and, Catherine Klein Fields and her husband, Mark Bentley Fields; ten grandchildren: Molly Klein Boyce her husband Michael Boyce; Amy Klein Vest and her husband, Jason Vest; Annie Klein, Christopher Klein, Nicholas Klein, Catherine Klein, Adam Garst, Allie Garst, Lauren Clemency, and Will Clemency; and two great grandchildren: Ava Catherine Boyce and Jacob Henry Vest.
A memorial service will be held at 11AM, Saturday, September 20, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church in Salem. Rev. Stephen G. Bray will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in Suffolk, VA. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Virginia Chapter, 1500 Forest Ave., Suite 124, Richmond, VA 23229. An online Guest Book is available for family and friends by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.