Carolyn Sue Klein, or as she was affectionately known by her friends, the "Queen of Stitches," left this world just shy of her 87th birthday, knitting needles in hand and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. Born on February 25, 1937, in the humble town of Independence, Kansas, Carolyn's journey came to a peaceful close in Medford, Oregon, on February 23, 2024, after a valiant bout with MDS Cancer.
After graduating from Torrance High School in 1955, Carolyn took the plunge and married her high school sweetheart, the late Walter Leroy (Roy) Klein, in 1957. The dynamic duo bolted from the hustle and bustle of city life in 1967, seeking serenity in Crescent City. There, Carolyn became a fixture at the Ben Franklin 5 and Dime, serving the community with a smile from 1968 until she hung up her retail hat in 1995.
Carolyn was the epitome of a devoted mom, always there for her son, Timothy Tice Klein, whether he was hitting the high notes in band or her daughter, Tamara Dawn Lallo, as she pranced in 4-H and Drill Team. Her brother, Dale Duncan, could always count on her for a hearty laugh and some sibling camaraderie.
She was a camping connoisseur, knitting ninja, and crochet queen. Carolyn's hands were rarely still, as she whipped up hats by the hundreds, warming heads and hearts, and crafting the snuggliest of baby blankets for the New Year's newest arrivals. Her charity work with the Emblem Club was legendary, especially when she decked the halls with boughs of holly for The Festival of Trees.
Carolyn's culinary prowess was no secret either; her chocolate sheet cake was the stuff of legend, and her baked beans became a staple at the annual GTE parties. She bowled strikes for Coast to Coast, proving that in her 60s, she still had the magic touch.
In her golden years, Carolyn became the uncontested queen of card parties, outwitting her lady friends with a sly grin and a winning hand. And when she wasn't outplaying her pals, she was glued to the TV, cheering on contestants in "Naked and Afraid," solving crimes in "The First 48," and outsmarting the brainiacs in "Jeopardy" – all while spinning the "Wheel of Fortune" from her favorite armchair.
Carolyn lived her life with a loving heart, a kind soul, and an unwavering selflessness. She was the sort of person who'd knit you a scarf just because she thought you looked cold. Her sense of humor was as sharp as her crochet hooks, and she could always be counted on for a hearty laugh, even if the joke was on her.
It's not every day you meet someone like Carolyn Sue Klein, a woman who lived her life with the gusto of a stand-up comic and the tenderness of a grandmother. As we say goodbye to the lady who turned yarn into joy, we remember her not with a tear, but a chuckle, because that's exactly how she would've wanted it.
So, let's raise a knitting needle to Carolyn, who has probably already started a knitting circle in the sky, sharing stories and laughter with the angels. Rest in peace, dear Carolyn, our beloved mother and may your stitches be even and your yarn never tangle in the great beyond.