Obituary: Ronnie Leah Klein

Ronnie Leah Klein, age 69, of Atlanta, a loving, generous and free-spirited beautiful woman died Sept. 26, 2019. Ronnie was born in Hillside, N.J., to Rosalyn and Victor Klein. She is survived by her loving partner Elaine Gilner Friedman; Elaine’s daughters Barri Rafferty, Ellen Friedman, Robin Carroll; brothers Gerald Klein (Mary Anne) and Michael (Barbara) Klein; sister-in-law, Joanne Klein; niece, Rebecca; nephews, Jon, David and Richard Klein; cousin Midje Theulen; dog Sammie; and a countless number of people that loved her.

Ronnie had a keen sense of humor and an insatiable appetite to learn. Quick to laugh, she made friends everywhere she went. She loved Mother Earth and all its creatures and honored it in every way. She cared deeply about the environment and believed that we all have a responsibility to do our part. She was a progressive thinker, passionate about social justice, open-minded, non-judgmental, and she made everyone feel important, no matter how long you knew her.

Ronnie was on the forefront of the holistic new age movement in spirituality. She had in-depth knowledge about various metaphysical aspects of life and non-traditional medicine and healing. When anyone reached out to her, she lovingly shared her gifts and knowledge. Ronnie was also incredibly disciplined and passionate about fitness – the gym being her “happy place.” In her quiet gentle way, Ronnie touched the lives of those that lived in her beautifully diverse Danbury Parc neighborhood. She created a loving connection and a true community among neighbors old, young and furry.

Ronnie was a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in sociology before earning a master’s degree in social work in 1980 from Clark Atlanta University. Ronnie had a fascinating career path including working in her capacity as a LCSW and serving the community in many organizations including Inner Harbour Hospitals, Cobb County Mental Health Center, the State of Georgia, Grady Memorial Hospital, APS Healthcare, and private practice. She worked as a hospice social worker and even co-owned and operated a metaphysical gift shop.

She will be held closely in the hearts of all the lives she has touched. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Weinstein Hospice, www.weinsteinhospice.com, or Dekalb County Animal Services, www.dekalbanimalservices.com.

A graveside service was held Sept. 29 at Arlington Memorial Park. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta, 770-451-4999.