Mona Fay Klahn

Mona Fay Klahn

Mona Fay Klahn (née Klahn) born March 30, 1938 to parents Elmer Otto Klahn and Edna Rebecca Becken Klahn in Brookhaven, Long Island, NY has died at the age of 85 on June 24, 2023. Having lived a full and adventurous life, Mona spent her final years battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) loved and supported by her husband John, caregivers, friends and family in Austin, Texas.

Prior to living in Austin, Mona was a long-time resident of San Antonio, Texas, having moved there from New York State in 1976. Mona enjoyed working in various fields of employment that utilized her exceptional skills in engineering, copywriting, and marketing. In her education, business and life roles, Mona was a trailblazer and inspiration for many.

Prior to 1976, Mona and her young family lived in Pittsford, NY, while she was working on her MBA at the U of R and her husband John (also a U of R alumnus) was in the early years of his medical practice. Mona participated as an EMS volunteer for the City of Pittsford, a youth Sunday school instructor at the United Church of Pittsford, and a Girl Scout leader for her daughter Rebecca's elementary school Brownie Troop.

Mona's notable employers included Eastman Kodak in Rochester whom she worked for after earning her Chemical Engineering and English degrees from The University of Rochester in 1960. In San Antonio, Mona was a marketing director for Bakerline (oil drilling equipment) where she used her Masters of Business Administration to modernize the company's advertising and organize 'center-stage' trade show booths in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Mona later took her skills to Sanifresh (a San Antonio company specializing in sanitary dispensing equipment for public bathrooms, clearly ahead of their time!).

After Sanifresh, Mona became a well-regarded member of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce as a small business owner and marketing manager representing Bank Langmore photography studio, as well as a time-management training company, and as an owner of Galleria de la Acequia photography gallery. Mona also helped the John Family of Schertz, develop and publish their own entertainment newspaper for The Blue Bonnet Palace as well as marketing large events. Mona was also responsible for organizing the initiative to bring professional horse racing to Retama Park in Selma near San Antonio. Mona ended her career on a high note, helping her husband John in his medical practice as office manager and all-around problem solver until his retirement in 2005.

Mona and husband John were loyal San Antonio Spurs fans (GSG!), rarely missing a game on television or in person. In their backyard, Mona was an urban farmer who grew vegetables, planted native plants, and raised chickens. A lover of animals, she shared her life with numerous dogs and cats (too many to name) over the years as well as donating to causes that supported animal welfare. One of her favorite projects was to donate fresh homegrown catnip to the Cattery at the Animal Defense League of Texas in San Antonio. She loved to travel and went on many adventures with her husband and family. In later years, Mona avidly supported the Service Dog Project in Ipswich, Massachusetts.

Up to the end, Mona had something planned or a story to tell. Mona was always mindful and thankful for the family's many friends and caregivers for the support they provided and was very proud of her family and their accomplishments attained over the years.

Mona is predeceased by her husband, Dr. John Conrad Klahn, who died of pancreatic cancer in July 2022, soon after their 64th wedding anniversary and his 87th birthday. Mona is survived by her elder sister Donna Klahn Berry, their children Charlotte Berry-Alpers (Donna) and Katherine Berry Sperl (Jim), and their son Bradley (and fiancée Alexis).

Mona leaves behind her son Conrad Klahn and his wife Renée and their two sons Otto and Noah, as well as her daughter Rebecca Riordan, her husband Rick, and their two sons Haley and Patrick. Last but certainly not least, Mona leaves behind numerous loved ones from both her and John's extended families.

Mona Fay Klahn is to be buried with her husband of 64 years Dr. John Conrad Klahn, in South Lyons Cemetery. A private graveside service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Mona Fay Klahn's memory may be made to any of the following, John and Mona Klahn Scholarship Fund for Medical School Students in care of The University of Rochester https://www.rochester.edu/advancement/how-to-give/, Service Dog Project, https://www.servicedogproject.org/donate, Animal Defense League of Texas, https://adltexas.org/donate/, The Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center, https://www.wildflower.org/donate, Muscular Dystrophy Association, https://www.mda.org/donate. 

Arrangements entrusted to Norman L. Waterman Funeral Home, Inc., 124 W. Miller Street, Newark, NY 14513.

Please write a memory or condolence to the family by visiting www.watermanfuneralhome.com.

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