Obituary
Sylvianna Klein, loving Mother, Grandmother, Sister and Daughter, passed away on December 28, 2019 at the age of 61, surrounded by the love and comfort of those who loved her the most.
Sylvianna was born on September 21, 1958, at Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet, Illinois. She was the beloved daughter of Mercier and Ernestine Maxwell. Sylvianna was one of nine children. Most who knew her, knew her as, “Petie”, the contagious nickname that was given to her at a young age by her brothers. This uniquely special nickname not only followed her through her time on Earth but will now follow her forever.
On September 8, 1985, in Romeoville, IL, Petie married her high school sweetheart, Gregory Klein, whom she survived. Together, on March 3, 1986, they welcomed their daughter, Heather Klein, into the world. She loved her daughter and after her Father passed away, she raised her from the age of eleven to fifteen solely on her own. She made an intelligent, confident, successful woman. She, in many ways, was her daughter’s Super Woman and undoubtedly her idol.
Petie would later go on to marry Kipper Hathaway, and they spent many wonderful years together in various areas in Florida. They enjoyed spending time together, even if it meant just sitting together talking. He was her backbone and her caretaker in life and brought her great comfort and joy.
Petie was a free-spirit by nature in her younger years and loved horses, birds, and enjoyed nothing more than attending some of her favorite concerts. She loved music, and found peace and happiness listening to Journey, Pink Floyd, Tesla, ZZ Top, and Led Zeppelin. Petie loved the outdoors, and summer was her favorite season. She loved basking in the pool for hours, covered in baby oil, to achieve her perfect tan. She loved family barbeques and family gatherings and was always found drinking coke and eating Lasagna or Pizza, or a cheeseburger. Later in life, she was often found on the phone with her best friend, her Brother, Carl, debating and discussing politics for hours on end. She loved every minute of debating with him. She also adored spending the short time she had with Liam, the Son of Heather, and he loved being with “Ma’ama”. She was a loving, fantastic Grandmother.
Petie is survived by her Husband, Kipper Hathaway, her best friend and daughter, Heather Klein, and her Grandson, Liam Werner. Also surviving are her Mother-In-Law, Loretta Stamper; brothers, Carl Maxwell with Wife Chris Maxwell, and Dean Maxwell with Wife Sue Maxwell; sisters, Esther Crane with Husband David Crane and Rose Ellison with Husband Danny Ellison. Many others were touched by Petie; nieces and nephews, cousins, second cousins, neighbors and friends alike. Petie is preceded in death by her parents, Mercier and Ernestine Maxwell; her first husband, Gregory Klein; brothers, Paul Maxwell, Don Maxwell, and Bob Maxwell; sister Pat Kalous.
Petie possessed the uncanny ability to get back up when an obstacle knocked her down. With courage, she demonstrated to others that each day is a blessing and an opportunity to make memories with the ones we love. Her life may have been cut short but in no way is she gone. She is in heaven now, pain-free, happy, and with the ones she has loved and lost. One day, we will be reunited. Until then, she would want us to continue on living our best life, cheer on the Blackhawks to their next Stanley Cup win, and to never take a single second for granted.
Heather & Liam
Mom & Liam