Jeanette Klem Chelius
Jeanette Klem Chelius, 76, of Ft. Myers, Fla., formerly of Avella, passed away early Sunday morning, November 6, 2022, in Townview Health and Rehabilitation Center, Canonsburg.
She was born September 19, 1946, in Washington, a daughter of the late Mike and Margaret Geresti Klem.
Mrs. Chelius was a 1964 graduate of Avella High School, a 1966 graduate of Duff’s Business Institute of Pittsburgh and also attended the University of South Florida.
Jeanette was executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania for 14 years. Additionally, she was a Gasparilla race organizer in Tampa, Fla. and mission director for the Susan G. Komen SWFL affiliate. In her later years, she kept busy as a raffle coordinator and worked in customer service for the Boston Red Soxs at Jet Blue Park in Fort Meyers for 10 years. She worked for non-profits for 30+ years in administration, fundraising, and programming.
Mrs. Chelius’ volunteer activities included radio reading service for the blind at Florida Gulf Coast University for 8+ years, library assistant at the Book Nook at Lakes Regional Library for 7+ years, tour guide for the Burroughs Home & Garden/Uncommon Friends Foundation for 9 years, usher for the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Center for 7+ years and she was a member of the Lions Club of Bonita Springs and active with eye screenings for daycares and other numerous volunteer activities.
Jeanette was a picture and scrapbooking fanatic, she loved to repurpose and finish furniture (always finding pieces of furniture at garage sales to bring back to life), thrift shop buying, rollerblading and going for walks. She loved the beach and the warm weather; with her biggest love being her husband Jim and her family and friends.
She often took trips with her lifelong friend, Peachie. She had neighbors, turned great friends, from moving to Florida like Pat and Jill and Joan, her co-worker, Sue, who she volunteered with at Spring training.
She was an avid FSU football fan, not missing a home game with season tickets to her late husband’s and stepson’s alma mater.
Jeanette was very thoughtful and kept in-touch with as many friends and family as she could. Along with countless other friends from grade school up until her untimely passing. Her family and friends were near and dear to her heart. Jeanette’s love for life and people showed in every aspect of her life.
She was raised attending Mass in St. Michael Church and was incredibly proud of her Avella roots especially her alma mater. There was nothing better than a class reunion to reunite with all her friends. She devoted most of her life to non-profits, which spoke to the kind of person Jeanette was – unwavering kindness, compassion, and empathy for everyone.
She enjoyed the occasional glass of wine or being a whiskey girl, enjoying a glass of Johnny Walker or Southern Comfort. She loved her stepchildren, Jimmy and Jennifer as they were her own, supporting them in all their endeavors; and her nephews, Andrew and Nathan as a second grandmother. She loved traveling the country and across the globe often to see her long-lost relative as she called her, Queen Elizabeth. She was a true lover of cats. Jeanette was the epitome of nostalgia.
Mrs. Chelius had lived in Florida since 2010.
On June 4, 1994, she married James F. Chelius Jr., who died May 4, 2014.
Surviving Mrs. Chelius are a stepdaughter, Jennifer L. Chelius of St. Petersburg, Fla.; a stepson, James F. Chelius III of Los Angeles, Calif.; her siblings, Michael D. (Judy) Klem of Weirton, W.Va., Thomas J. Klem of Homestead, Fla., Theresa R. (Earl) Dhanse of Canonsburg, Robert S. (Teresa) Klem of Avella and Kathryn S. (Ken) Simms of Washington.
Friends and family will be received from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 9, in the Jerome A. Stefkovich Funeral Home Inc., 18 Campbell Street, Avella, PA 15312, where a blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, November 10, with the Rev. Harry Bielewicz officiating.
Burial will be in St. Michael Cemetery, Avella.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Condolences may be expressed at www.stefkovichfuneralhome.com.