Saturday, June 15, 2019 after a long struggle due to complications from a stroke suffered in 2014. Born September 16, 1934 in Toledo, Ohio, she was one of four children. At the age of 9, her family moved to San Francisco, and from that point forward she became a proud San Franciscan.
In 1953, she married her cherished husband, Carl Victor Kleemann, and in 1956 gave birth to their only daughter, Victoria.
Lavonne had a varied career ranging from modeling for the iconic “old San Francisco” White House department store, to providing administrative support at L’Ecole Notre Dame Des Victoires of San
Francisco and eventually working with the Nevada County Department of Mental Health.
She was gifted with exceptional creativity and excelled in the restoration of numerous Victorian homes in both San Francisco and Nevada City, CA. Her talent also extended to intricate sewing and needlework projects, as well as eclectic interior design. A voracious reader, her tastes ranged from mysteries, to books on spirituality and Eastern philosophy. She enjoyed art exhibits at the DeYoung and Palace of Legion of Honor, going to the movies, walking her dogs, and meeting friends for lunch at the Nordstrom
Cafe.
Lavonne and her daughter had adventures of a lifetime together. The two took a vacation every year from 1961 to 2014 . . . on their own. Often these were road trips across the country, numerous visits to Maui, and eventually travel to France and Italy.
She will always be remembered for the twinkle in her eyes, beautiful smile, compassionate heart, incredible sense of humor, and love of animals and nature. She will be especially treasured
for being such a loving, progressive, and adventurous mom.
A woman of grace and beauty inside and out, she is survived by her daughter, nieces, grand-nephews, “second daughters,” and cherished friends.
Special thanks to our beloved angels from Hospice by the Bay, the staff from Swindell’s Residential Care, and UCSF Geriatrician, Dr. Daniel Pound.
A Celebration Of Life memorial will be held in July. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to Hospice By The Bay or the ASPCA.
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