Dr. Anna May (Newton) Klippel

Dr. Anna May (Newton) Klippel, 93 of Paxton, MA died on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at Notre Dame Long Term Care Center in Worcester. She practiced medicine in Toledo and Maumee, Ohio for 44 years before retiring in 1989. She moved to Massachusetts with her husband to be near family in 1990. Her husband, Charles H. Klippel, Jr., MD passed away in 2007. Anna May was born in Toledo, Ohio on July 26, 1921 to Francis H. Newton, MD and Alice (Gerhardt) Newton. She attended DeVilbiss High School in Toledo, Ohio State University and OSU Medical School in Columbus, Ohio. She married Charles on January 1, 1944 in St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Toledo. They graduated from medical school together in 1945 in the midst of WWII and at the dawn of antibiotics. She was the only woman to graduate with the class. They interned together in a tuberculosis hospital, and then she practiced general medicine under her maiden name, Newton, with her father while Charles served in the Army. She transitioned to family practice when it became a recognized specialty. She often worked twelve-hour days and was on the staff of five Toledo area hospitals. She delivered hundreds of babies before giving up obstetrics. Charles became the first pediatric surgeon in Northwest Ohio. They had two children, boy and girl twins, born in 1952. They were happily married for 64 years. Anna May and Charles traveled extensively during both their working and retirement years, vacationing in Europe, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean and the USA including Alaska and Hawaii. Anna May was an active member of a number of organizations including the Toledo Museum of Art and Zonta International. She enjoyed music, sewing and gardening. Anna May is survived by her children, Charles H. Klippel, III and his wife, Lee Hughes Klippel of Avon, Connecticut, and Alice K. Livdahl and her husband Todd P. Livdahl of Paxton; two granddaughters, Lee Case Klippel and Emily M. Livdahl; her brother-in-law and his wife, Rugh and Dorothy Klippel of Basking Ridge, NJ and by nieces and nephews. Anna May's sister, Frances N. Lee and her husband, Melvin B. Lee, predeceased her. Anna May was loved by family, friends, patients and caregivers at Notre Dame Long Term Care Center. Her funeral will be held at a later date at the First Congregational Church of Paxton, United Church of Christ, with interment to follow at Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to Abby Kelley Foster House, Inc., 52 High St., Worcester, MA. 01609. MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester are honored to be assisting the family with arrangements. To share your thoughts and memories of Anna May, please visit her personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com.