The Linda B. Klein Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Linda B. Klein Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in April 2008 in her memory.

Linda Blauner Klein was born in New York City and raised in White Plains, N.Y. After graduating from White Plains High School (class of 1966), she followed her sister, Audrey, to the University of Wisconsin (Madison), where she majored in history. After graduating from UW, she moved to South Bend, Ind., then to Cleveland, Ohio, and finally settled in Akron, Ohio. It was in Akron where she raised her two sons, Adam and David.

In 1983 Linda returned to school at The University of Akron, first earning her master’s degree in taxation, and then her J.D. in 1989. It was not easy raising two young sons alone and going to school. There were lean years, which were offset by her sense of accomplishment in her studies and her pride in Adam and David. Linda had said that despite her many successes, including graduating near the top of her class and having an article published in the Akron Law Review, her greatest accomplishment was her boys. After she passed the Ohio State Bar, Linda began a solo practice encompassing estate planning and trusts, tax matters, and securities.

In 2000, after both sons completed their undergraduate degrees (Adam at the Ohio State University, 1997; David at Kent State, 1999) and moved from Ohio, Linda, herself, was ready to move on to other challenges. Linda relocated to San Jose, California, to be with her life partner, Deborah Zimmer. During her first two years out West, Linda was the executive director of a Reform Synagogue in San Jose. Unfortunately, in March 2004, Linda was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Always a fighter, Linda brought that tenaciousness to the last four years of her life. She lost the fight on April 13, 2008.

The Linda B. Klein Memorial Scholarship is designated to a single parent (male or female) in the part-time program and in good academic standing at the law school. Scholarship awards may cover tuition, fees, books, and room and board, all or in part.