Katie (Kato) Klein

(née Izso)

Peacefully, at home in Toronto, on Saturday, October 5, 2024 (Tishrei 7, 5785). Katie (Kato to those who knew her well) was born on December 15, 1924, in Košice, Slovakia. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, known for her beautiful smile and loving heart. Devoted wife of the late Istvan Klein and the late Eugene Schwartz. Beloved mother and mother-in-law of Ron Schwartz and Jacqueline Henry, the late Marilyn Schwartz Weinstein and the late Jay Weinstein; and stepmother of Agnes Fleischer (George). Cherished grandmother of Liza Weinstein (John Myers), Bennett Weinstein (Lisa); Ryan Malenfant (Kendra Carroll) and Marc Henry. Proud great-grandmother of Avi, Marcus, and Eleanor. Predeceased by her dear sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Max Shein. Katie will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her cousins, nieces, nephews, their families and all who knew and loved her.

Katie grew up in a loving home in modern, urban Czechoslovakia. She always spoke fondly of her parents and reminisced often about her happy childhood full of family and adventures. This life was sadly disrupted by the war – she survived Auschwitz and the Holocaust with her sister, Martha. She moved to Montreal after the war with her husband Eugene, where they raised their children. With her sister, they built lives in their new home. After sixty years in Montreal, she moved to Toronto to be closer to her son, Ron. She enjoyed over ten years of independent living at the Terraces of Baycrest. Well into her 80’s and 90’s, she enjoyed traveling, including going back to Europe. In the last few years, Katie was still keen to visit family and made sure to attend all weddings and B’nai Mitzvot and danced at every opportunity. At the Terraces, she met her last best friend, Olga Verrall, whose love and compassion supported Katie in her final months.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Terraces, including the administration, Katie’s physician, and the nursing team, as well as the staff of St. Elizabeth PSW and Palliative Care for their compassionate care.

Graveside service on Wednesday, October 9 at 1:00 p.m. at the Tifereth Beth David Jerusalem Congregation Cemetery, Beth Yitzchok Section, de la Savane. Shiva at the Marriott Courtyard Midtown, 6787 Décarie Blvd., Montreal, QC H3W 3E3, Wednesday from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m., and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A further celebration of her life will be held in Toronto, time and date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, donations in Katie's memory may be made to the St. Elizabeth Foundation, https://foundation.sehc.com/.