Gene L. Klida

On October 6, 2019, Gene Logghe Klida, 64, of Grosse Pointe Farms, formally of Shelby Twp., passed away peacefully with family and friends at her side, after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. Gene was born in Highland Park, Michigan on July 31, 1955 to Eugene and Anna Logghe. After attending Brablec High School, Gene earned a degree in Speech Pathology from Michigan State University in 1978. During that time Gene began her relationship with her husband, David. Having married in 1981, together, they enjoyed nearly 40 years of loving partnership. They had their first son, Michael, in 1983, and their second son, Patrick, in 1988. Gene's boundless love for her children, and her passion for their education, sparked a lifelong mission of improving public education for all. Early engagement in her sons' classrooms and extracurricular activities quickly grew into a commitment to advocating for children everywhere. In 1998, voters elected Gene to serve as a member of Utica Community Schools Board of Education, and they continued to re-elect her for over 20 years until her retirement in 2019. In her service on the Board, Gene held numerous titles, including President, but saw her role as a mentor to others as her most honored achievement. And it was in that light that Gene worked tirelessly to ensure that students of all kinds and needs had every opportunity to succeed. Gene's ambitious optimism fueled her involvement with the UCS Foundation for Educational Excellence. There, Gene was a force behind a number of breakthroughs that would raise the profile of the arts in Utica Community Schools and raise money to support teacher initiatives and student scholarship. Her sincere belief in relationship building between schools and communities fostered countless others to join her zealous energy and passionate advocacy. Gene is survived by her husband Dr. David, sons Michael and Patrick, siblings, Kimberly Dunn, John Logghe, Kim Dehring, and parents Eugene and Sandy. She is preceded in death by her mother, many friends, and relatives. Her compassion and patience are continued on by all who had the good fortune of knowing her. Gene's family and friends will be celebrating her life on Saturday, October 19, 2019, 11:00am - 2:00pm at the Palazzo Grande, 54660 Van Dyke, Shelby Twp., MI 48315. Memorial donations to the Gene Klida Memorial Educational Fund, c/o Shelby Township Lions Club Scholarships, PO Box 182075, Shelby Township, MI 48318

Gene L. Klida

July 31, 1955 - October 6, 2019