Obituary of Madge K LaVoy

LaVoy, Madge Kleinhammer, a life long resident of the Tampa Bay area and 3rd generation Floridian passed away on March 18th, 2024.  She was born in Tampa on December 19, 1929, the daughter of the late Hans and Annie (Lawton) Kleinhammer.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 61 years, DeForest LaVoy Jr., her sister, Carolyn, and her brother Herman.

Madge graduated from Jefferson High School in 1947 and the University of Tampa with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1951 and did post graduate work at the University of South Florida.  She was a dedicated public-school educator for 30 years.  Madge taught in Tampa, Miami, California, and St. Petersburg.

Madge was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha National Sorority, Daughters of the American Revolution, Ladies of the Crown, University of Tampa Alumni Association, Museum of Fine Arts of St. Petersburg, The St. Petersburg Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and the St. Petersburg Yacht Club where she was a member of Salty Sisters.

Madge loved life, music, the arts, and everything around her.  She believed that life was never measured by the breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away.  Madge enjoyed being on the water or on a cruise.  She loved to travel and was proud that she had visited all 50 states, many nations in Europe, and cruised the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Alaska.  Madge’s favorite place next to Florida was Hawaii.

Madge is survived by her two children, Patricia LaVoy Fuller (John), DeForest LaVoy III (Patti) and their three children, DeForest LaVoy IV, Kirsten LaVoy, and Brooke LaVoy all of St. Petersburg.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children of Tampa at 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa Florida 33607 or the Maui Strong Fund to help rebuild Lahaina Hawaii.