Joan S. Klems

Joan Severin Klems, of Cabot, formerly of Norwood, Ohio, was born on March 18, 1941, the eldest child of Thomas and Antoinette Severin. She was baptized at St. Mathias Church by her uncle, Fr.Gabriel Briestensky, who welcomed her into the Catholic faith and nicknamed her Joady, a name that would stay with her throughout her life. Joady attended St.Joseph High School, Mt. Mercy College (now Carlow University), and was a member of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity from 1962 through 1970. She was forever a St. Joe’s Spartan, proudly wore her Mt. Mercy college ring with an amethyst stone each and every day, and will be fondly remembered by her students at Vincentian High School for her kindness and expertise in teaching Math.

Joady married Paul Klems on August 21, 1971. They made their home in Paul’s hometown, Norwood, Ohio. Both of them were Math educators in various Catholic schools throughout Cincinnati. Once again in this new community, Joady used her talents to patiently help the students she tutored to understand complex mathematical concepts. It is our hope that her legacy will live on through their successes.

Joady also took her role as the firstborn child very seriously. Since she lived out of town, she was sure to contact her parents and siblings each week. She prayed for her family members, worried with them, hosted family vacations in Myrtle Beach, and came home to celebrate every holiday. Her nimble fingers helped to prepare the Christmas Eve mushroom soup and the ethnic baked goods that were placed in a basket and subsequently blessed in church each Holy Saturday. This dogged devotion to family extended to aunts, uncles, and cousins of the Severin and Brestensky families. She rarely, if ever, missed a Brestensky reunion and even traveled to Slovakia to visit relatives. Those cousins were never without oplatky for Christmas Eve because Joady sent it to them across the pond each yuletide season.

As with most aspects of her life, Joady was steadfast in her beliefs. This was most evident in her dedication to the Catholic faith. She attended Mass on a daily basis. Her devotion to the Blessed Mother manifested in the making of rosary beads and a consistent praying of the rosary. She enjoyed singing Christmas carols, both in English and Slovak, and reveled in the sweet sounds of Plesa Svet at Midnight Mass. The angels will soon be welcoming a new member to their heavenly choir!

Joan was preceded in death (a mere three months ago) by her husband of 54 years, Paul J. Klems, and by her sisters-in-law, Arlene Severin and Mary Francis Klems, and her brothers-in-law, Kenneth Hughes, Jim Klems, and Jerry Klems.

She is survived by her siblings: Sister Antoinette Severin, S.C.N., Patricia Hughes, Thomas Severin, Kathleen Joan (William) Daugherty, Deborah (John) Beresik, and sisters-in-law, Ellen Imhulse and Mary Kay Klems. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews from the Severin and Klems families.

Friends will be received on Thursday from 2-4, 6-8 p.m. in the Cicholski-Zidek Funeral Home, Inc., 1522 Carlisle Street, Natrona Heights 724-224-8688, where a parting prayer service will be held on Friday at 11:45 a.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:30 p.m. in St. Mary Mother of God Church, Freeport, with Msgr. Raymond Riffle as celebrant.  Entombment will be in Our Lady of Hope Cemetery, Frazer Twp.  To send an online condolence please visit www.cicholski-zidekfh.com.