Anita Jean Moriarity Kleven

Anita Jean Moriarity Kleven, age 80, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025.  Born in Dane County, WI on March 29, 1945, she was the daughter of the late William James Moriarity II and Delores “Jeanne” Moriarity (nee Scoville).  She was also preceded in death by her brother, William James Moriarity III; and her sister, Shawn Moriarity.

In Anita’s words, with a twinkle in her eye, she proudly claimed her career to be that of a Domestic Engineer, her greatest contribution. She would tell how, as a young mother, she would meticulously follow the doctor’s recipe to make infant formula on the stove. A novel could be written of the stories of Anita’s lifelong culinary labors of love! She also spent countless hours knitting or crocheting blankets for loved ones, along with new baby ensembles for every grandchild, great-grandchild, and countless nieces and nephews. She was even part of a ministry at church to knit warm beanies for premature newborns at the local hospital. Anita loved children and was always eager to help care for her grandchildren, even at a moment’s notice. She would drop everything and come to the aid whenever her family called, for whatever reason they needed. To call Anita’s love “sacrificial” is an understatement!  Her devotion to family was in every fiber of her being, and she was fiercely protective of all those she loved.

Given all of the earthly things Anita did for her family, the most important, powerful, and loving thing she did was to share her deep Catholic faith; raising her children to know and love God in His  Most Holy Catholic Church. Her lifelong devotion to Our Blessed Mother was especially comforting to her when her own mother passed away on the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. How lovingly appropriate that Anita was called to be with her Lord Jesus Christ on this year’s Feast of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!

Anita is survived by her husband of 61 years, Wayne John Kleven; her children, Michelle Foust (Patric) of Marble, Dawn Thompson (Danny) of Raeford, and Wayne John Kleven II (Cindy) of Raleigh; her grandchildren, Anthony “Tony” Okrie (Amber), Heather Wilson (Aaron), Jessica Thompson, Amber Foust, Tara Foust, Olivia Kleven, and Caleb Kleven; her great-grandchildren, Hannah Okrie, Logan Okrie, Steven Wilson (Abdiangelys), and Hannah Willis (Michael); her great-great-grandson, Emmanuel “Manny” Wilson; her sisters, Jeanne Hoke (Dennis) and Colleen Jones-Moriarity (Brian); and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 331 Hammond Street, Rocky Mount, NC  27804 with Father Tim Meares celebrating.  A Rosary will be recited at 10:30 AM before the Mass at the church.

The family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, January 9, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  A Rosary will be recited at 7:45 PM during the visitation.

The Rite of Committal will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, 8220 Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake, NC  28390.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Robert Wehbie and staff of the Oncology Department of UNC Health Rex at Wakefield, Stacy’s Home Healthcare and Nash Hospice and Palliative Care for their support and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Anita’s memory to Your Choice Resource Center, 400 Sunset Ave., Rocky Mount, NC  27804 or My Sister’s House, 210 W. Church Street, Nashville, NC  27856.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.