Iva Jean Behr, 79, Loved Classical Music
lva Jean Behr, 79, (nee Garfield) of Lorain passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the home of her daughter following a short illness in company of her family.
Mrs. Behr was born in Lorain on January 27, 1935, the daughter of the late Edward M. and Portia Saebra (nee Allen) Garfield. She was a member of the graduating class of 1952 from Lorain High School and attended Bowling Green State University.
Mrs. Behr was employed at Lorain Public Library in Lorain for 10 years. Mrs Behr acted as manager and chef for the First Lutheran Church Meals On Wheels program for many years. Mrs Behr, alongside her husband Dick, owned and operated the former Del's Shoes in Vermilion, OH. In early years Mrs Behr worked as a bookkeeper for both the Central Bank and Richmond Brothers Clothing.
Mrs Behr was a lifetime and integral member of First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lorain devoting countless volunteer hours, singing soprano in the church choir, coordinating 30 years worth of funeral receptions and participating on several church committees.
She was an avid supporter of the Cleveland Orchestra and loved classical music. She was a self taught seamstress and enjoyed reading and gardening. Mrs Behr was a devoted wife and mother caring for her home, husband and four children.
Mrs. Behr is survived by daughters Judith A (Reza) Sabbaghzadeh of Naples, FL, JoAnne (Dan) Seink of Sagamore Hills, sons Jeffrey A Behr, Richard M Behr both of Lorain, grandchildren Emma Sabbaghzadeh, Jonathon Sabbaghzadeh, Corinne Seink and Adeline Seink.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death in 1994, by her husband Richard T Behr, to whom she was married on February 14, 1957, sister Judith Garfield, brothers Harold "Bud" Garfield, and Richard "Dick" Day.
The family will receive friends on Friday, October 3, 2014 from noon until 2:00 p.m. in the Schwartz, Spence, Boyer & Cool Home For Funerals, 1124 W. 5th Street, Lorain. The Rev. Jimmy Madsen, pastor of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, will officiate.
Burial services will follow in the Garfield Cemetery. Sheffield Village.
The family suggest that memorial contributions may be made to the Cleveland Orchestra, Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106 or to Sheffield Village Historical Society, Garfield Farms, 4921 Detroit Road, Sheffield Village, Ohio 44054.
Online condolences at www.boyercool.com.