Health advocate Cheryl Klein dies; funeral Sunday, May 1

CHERYL FRAME KLEIN, an advocate for Tobacco Free Living (TFL) and a compassionate campaigner for healthy living, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 26. She was 65.

Klein was the Region 9 manager of the Louisiana Public Health Institute and worked primarily with the Louisiana Campaign for TFL. She was involved with many boards and committees including the Florida Parishes Human Services Authority, the St. Tammany West Habitat for Humanity and many other coalitions and organizations intent on raising awareness for healthy living.

Prior to her employment with TFL, she worked as a regional prevention coordinator for the Office of Addictive Disorders and was an education coordinator for Pride of St. Tammany.

She also was involved with professional development and was a member of the Tangipahoa Professional Women, the St. Tammany Commission on Families, the St. Tammany Alumni Foundation, the St. Tammany Chapter of the Alliance for Good Government and the Professional Women of St. Tammany.

Born in Takoma Park, MD., she spent her high school years in Puerto Rico. She studied music at Stevens College before graduating from Loyola University in 1972 with a degree in Music Therapy. She met her husband and moved to River Ridge in 1976 for 10 years before moving to Mandeville where they raised their children.

Passionate about her work, Klein is remembered as an involved member of her local community and a tireless campaigner for the rights of others. She serves as an inspiration to others to become committed to causes to benefit humanity.

Klein served on the board for the Northshore Jewish Congregation and frequently played piano for services.

Klein is survived by her husband of 40 years, Dr. A. James Klein, her siblings Dr. William A Frame (Lorie) of Forsyth, IL. and Teresa Anne Frame of Silver Spring, MD.; her children, Jessica Anne Klein Sintes (Steve) and Adam Douglas Klein, and two grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Rabbi Robert Loewy of Congregation Gates of Prayer officiated. Interment followed immediately in Metairie Cemetery.

Memorial donations are suggested to: Baylor Healthcare System Foundation, 3500 Gaston Ave., Dallas, TX 75246 or the St. Tammany West Habitat for Humanity.

Beginning at 6:45 p.m. tomorrow, Monday, May 2, friends are invited to gather for a minyan to be held at the Klein home in Mandeville. The service is expected to begin at 7:00 p.m.