Barbara Ann Kleffman

Barbara Ann Kleffman (née Blakeslee), 84, of Orlando, passed away Monday, November 1, 2021. Barbara suffered a broken back early in the Fall and complications caused a rapid decline in her health. She spent her final days at home with her family and friends. She passed from this life grateful to know she was loved by many and that her memory will live on in their hearts.

Barbara was born October 1, 1937, in Medford, WI to Ray and Katherine “Ciss” (née Doriot) Blakeslee. Growing up she spent many hours working in and enjoying her parents’ movie theater, The Avon Theater. Her father and grandfather built the theater and the apartment Barbara’s family lived in directly above it, on Main Street in the center of downtown. The apartment was always full of family and friends, so Barbara grew up surrounded by her many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Barbara said all those years in the theater created her lifelong love of old movies and fresh-made, old-fashioned, buttered popcorn.

Barbara and her husband Terrence (Terry) Kleffman met in Medford when Terry came to town to curl in a bonspiel. Barbara often said, that after watching him curl and hide behind a math book all day she went on to beat him playing cards in her parents’ hotel (where he and his team were staying), then proceeded to go home and tell her parents that he was the man she was going to marry. Terry always poked fun at her and finished the story by saying, not long after, he found out he was getting married when he received the engagement announcement from the newspaper in the mail while he was in Boot Camp in the army. They married on December 26, 1959. Barbara and Terry spent most of their married life in the suburbs of Minneapolis, MN where they focused on building a successful business, Kleffman Electronics, Inc. and raising their daughter, Megan (Meg), and spending time with their many wonderful lifelong friends. In the early 1990’s they moved themselves and Barbara’s mother, Katherine, to Orlando, FL, to enjoy the warm weather and Terry’s favorite place on earth - Walt Disney World. They created a wonderful new life and made great new friends in Florida. Their daughter followed them to Orlando not long after college to begin her career and start her family.

Barbara and Terry enjoyed 46 wonderful and happy years of marriage together before Terry passed away in 2005, after a long and difficult battle with cancer. After Terry’s death, Barbara’s world revolved around her grandson, Antonio Adornetto. He was her pride and joy. She enjoyed every minute she spent with him watching him grow and helping care for him. There was nothing in her life she loved more than being his MiMi.

Family and friends were always the central focus of Barbara’s life. Barbara is survived by her daughter Meg and son-in-law Michael Adornetto, her grandson Antonio, her three nephews (Michael, Robert and Thomas Brown), her many cousins, and her wonderful friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Terrence and parents Raymond & Katherine Blakeslee.

According to her wishes, she was cremated and on Friday, December 3, 2021, the Holy Family Catholic School Mass at 8:30 a.m., will be offered for Barbara and her ashes will be blessed before finding their final resting place where she grew up, in Medford, WI.

Barbara and her grandson, Antonio, created many wonderful memories together that centered around Holy Family Catholic School and his many activities there from Pre-K 3 through 8th grade. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her memory to Holy Family Catholic School.

https://www.hfcschool.com/

To donate please click the link above and the donate button at the bottom of the website page. Please note “In memory of Barbara Kleffman” in the message. Checks may also be sent directly to Holy Family Catholic School with the same note/memo or to Barbara’s daughter, Megan, and she will make sure the school receives them.

Holy Family Catholic School, 5129 S Apopka-Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32819