Kay Christine (Friedel) Clemens

She was born November 20, 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio. She was the daughter of the late Ralph and Annette (Gertson) Friedel.

She graduated from Spencer High School, received her Bachelors of Education from Kent State, and her Master’s Degree from Lake Erie College.

She was a devoted teacher with a genuine love of teaching and motivating the young minds entrusted to her. Students would always remember Mrs. Clemens well into their adult lives. She taught at Mother of Sorrows, Plymouth Elementary, and many years as a Language Arts teacher at West Junior High School in Ashtabula. So many nights she fell asleep on the couch grading her papers, after work and family time.

She spent most of her life in Ohio, retired, and lived in Florida and Texas to be near her sons and their families. In the last seven years, she and her husband shared their life in the home of their son and daughter-in-law.

Her family was her lifelong passion and joy. As a young mother, she enjoyed sewing, often times making her own clothes. She was an accomplished cook and baker, sharing her joy and recipes with family and friends. She enjoyed gardening and was an avid reader. Everyone would compliment her beautiful, elegant hand writing skills. In her last years, she enjoyed the beautiful birds that came to feed at their home, and counting the planes as they flew by in the sunny, blue Florida sky.

She was an extremely giving and caring person, always putting others before herself. Kay was a loving and devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother to her large extended family. She was a member of St. Timothy’s Church in Lutz.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Annette Friedel, her brothers James Friedel and William Friedel.

Kay was adored and loved by her surviving family members: her husband of 68 years William (Bill) Clemens. Her three sons: Jim (Chris) Clemens of Cleveland, Steve (Connie) Clemens of Lutz, Fl, and Jeff (Kelly) Clemens of Tampa, FL. She is survived by eight grandchildren: Jake Clemens, Evan (Steve) Walker, Josh (Nicole) Clemens, Sarah (Tommy) Cieplenski, Mike Clemens, Karen Clemens (fiance’ Luke Smith), Grace Clemens and John Clemens; great grandchildren Keaton and Brody Walker, Ava and Owen Cieplenski, Ethan and Henry Clemens; and loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and thanks to her caregivers, Becky Lavoie and Deb Navejar whose endless attention, compassion, and love always brought a smile to her face, and joy to her day.

A visitation for Kay will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Blount & Curry FH-Carrollwood, 3207 W Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL 33618, followed by a funeral service at 1PM.