Marilyn Clavenna

Marilyn (Klaski) Clavenna of Maryland Heights, MO, born May 22, 1939, passed away April 22, 2017, at her home surrounded by her family. Marilyn, “Merk” as she was known, was a member of St. John Bosco Parish in Creve Coeur, MO and Incarnate Word Parish in Chesterfield, MO. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas James Clavenna, who died November 9, 1992, her sister, Carole (Klaski) Byrne, and her parents Nicholas and Helen Klaski. She also was preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Joanne Clavenna; her brothers-in-law Robert O’Leary, Charles and James Clavenna; her mother-in-law, Mary Clavenna; and her nephew John Patrick Byrne, Jr.

Marilyn is survived by her four children Tina (Clavenna) Dibble (Brad) of Avon, CT; Scott Clavenna of O’Fallon, MO; Tracey (Clavenna) Puthoff (Bill) of Cincinnati, OH; and Beth Clavenna-Deane (Jeff) of Shawnee, KS. She is also survived by her best friend and sister Barbara (Klaski) O’Leary; her brother-in-law John Patrick Byrne, Sr.; and her grandchildren (the light of her life): Maxwell and Samuel Reenan; Eric, Will, and Martha Puthoff; and Thomas and Jacob Deane. In addition, Marilyn is survived by her nieces and nephews Michael and Mark O’Leary, Tara (O’Leary) Wojciechowski, Daniel Byrne, Tony and Michael Clavenna , Jennifer (Clavenna) Fitch, and their spouses; and many great nieces and nephews who continue to celebrate her life: Robert, Caitlin (Yager), Meghan, and Mary O’Leary; Nicholas, Clare, and Grace Wojciechowski; Samantha O’Leary; Molly, Jack, Joseph, Megan, and James Clavenna; Ron III (Trey) and Annie Fitch; Daniel Jr., Henry, Brendan, and Courtney Byrne; and Ryan, Tyler, and Murphy Byrne.

Marilyn retired from St. John’s Mercy Hospital (Mercy Hospital) after many years of service. She had many dear and devoted friends from working in the Mercy system, friends who continue to celebrate her life through cherished memories. She lived in her neighborhood for forty + years and established multiple treasured friendships with neighbors who continue to remember her caring and loyal personality.

In Marilyn’s free time she enjoyed traveling to Kansas, Connecticut, and Ohio, to visit her children and grandchildren, as well as to her most favorite place on Earth, Captiva Island, Florida. She was an avid cook and loved making dinners for family and friends and enjoyed shopping to her hearts content. Most importantly she loved spending time with her best friend and sister, Barbie. These were her favorite things!

The family would like to thank Mercy Hospice and Compassionate Nursing, especially Margie, Carol, and Lisa, for the care they provided Mom in her greatest time of need. Marilyn/Mom’s celebration of life will be held at Incarnate Word Parish 13416 Olive Blvd, Chesterfield, MO., 63017, on Thursday April 27, 2017. Visitation will be held at 9:00 am prior to a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Marilyn’s name to Mercy Home Health and Hospice (www.mercy.net/service/home-health-hospice) or to Stray Rescue of St Louis (strayrescue.org).

For the Post-Dispatch:

Marilyn (Klaski) Clavenna of Maryland Heights, MO, passed away April 22, 2017, at her home surrounded by her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2017, at 10:00 am, with visitation prior to Mass at 9:00 am. For further information and to share a memory, please go to the following website: stlouiscremation.com

5 Comments

  1. Arlene Edwards on April 26, 2017 at 3:23 pm

    I want to express my sympathy to the entire family for the loss of your beloved mother. I always marveled at her resolve and strength. She gave life everything she had. She will be missed by family, friends and a loss to our neighborhood as well. I pray that she is now resting in peace.



  2. Christine burke on April 27, 2017 at 8:53 am

    I am so sorry about Marilyn. I was blessed to have her as a neighbor growing up. One thing i was reminiscing about today was a few years ago I took the children over to Mom’s for Halloween and Mrs. Clavenna invited the kids and myself into the house and we had a nice conversation. She alwats had an open door. I will be praying for the family.



  3. Bevin Packman on April 28, 2017 at 10:12 am

    David and I would like to send our sympathy to all of you. We have fond memories and will keep her and you in our hearts.



  4. Linda Renaud on April 28, 2017 at 1:41 pm

    I wish to express my sympathy to the family. I am one of the many childbirth educators at Mercy that Marilyn took care of and mothered for many years in her work. Will remember her smile and smart wit.



  5. PAMELA METZLER on May 9, 2017 at 7:16 am

    Dear Tina, Scott, Tracey and Beth: I am so, so sorry to hear about Marilyn. We had lost touch in the last few years since I don’t live in St. Louis any more, but Marilyn and Tom were very special friends of my late husband’s, Jerry and mine. We had wonderful times together, great parties and lots of fun at the soccer and baseball fields. I have such fond memories of all of you. She loved all of you so much, and was over the moon when she became a grandmother. I know how much you will miss her. She was really one in a million, and loved by all of us.
    Barbie, my heart is breaking for you. I know how close you two were.
    My love, thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
    Pam



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