Kathleen Ann Becnel Klibert passed peacefully in the company of family after a lengthy illness February 10, 2023 at the age of 79. Kathy was diagnosed with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma, a rare, aggressive cancer in March 2021. She endured cancer treatment, surgery to remove lesions from her liver, always determined to recover and stay with her family.
Kathy is preceded in death by her husband Wayne Klibert, parents Aureluis A. “Beck” and Pearl Becnel of Norco, LA. She is survived by two daughters Denise (Michael) Sprinkel of Georgetown, TX and Deanne Klibert of Shreveport, LA, her sister Eileen (Bill) Macloud and their children Jeff, Steve, and Tim; and her sister-in-laws Gay Delaneuville and her children Jay, Sharon, Steven, and David; Joan (Ray) Babin and their children Michael and Kevin. Kathy is also survived by two special cousins that were sisters to her, Mary Ann Veron and Mary Grace Wolcott.
Kathy was born on May 22, 1943 in New Orleans, LA, spending her childhood in Norco, LA. After graduating high school she worked in New Orleans at Acme Stone and Granite. She married Wayne in 1967 at which time they moved to Shreveport, she worked for the Caddo Parish School Board until starting their family. She later returned to school graduating from LSUS with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. Working for AT&T where she retired from Lucent as a senior member of technical staff. Kathy loved the challenges and experience of working with the technical “dream” team. She missed the collaboration and traveling. She returned to work as a consultant, retiring again as technical operations manager at Louisiana Center for Manufacturing Sciences.
Kathy spent much of her personal time with her daughters shopping, crafting, cooking and entertaining. She enjoyed the companionship of two very special groups of friends, her Sewing Circle and Red Hat group. Before her diagnoses, she enjoyed hosting and cooking for her friends. Kathy was also a spiritual person, studying mediation and many different theologians. She enjoyed sharing what she learned and believed with others. She loved food, live music and reading all genres. Kathy lived for new experiences and was always thrilled to try new cuisines and travel to new places. She and Wayne cherished memories made golfing and fishing with friends in Arkansas over the years.
All are welcomed to celebrate Kathy's life at a funeral mass scheduled for 10:00 am on February 17th at St. Mary’s of the Pines Catholic Church officiated by Rev. Mark Watson, Pastor. Memorials may be made to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation at Cholangiocarcinoma.org. The family would like to thank Doctors Eric Smith, Humberto Aguilar, Anil Veluvolu, Hosein Shokouh-Amiri and their staff; the doctors, therapists, nurses and staff of Willis Knighton North, Progressive Care, and Christus Highland. A special thanks to the caring staff at Louisiana Home Care, Always Best Care, Life Path Hospice and Heritage Manor Strathmore (900 Hall) for their loving care.
