It is with great woe that we announce the passing of Susan Christina Trani Klodt. Susan was born in San Pedro, California, on December 18, 1945, of Italian and German descent to Garmino (Thomas) Trani and Louise A.C. Trani. She passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026, at the age of 80, in her much-loved home in Long Beach, California, where she resided for 54 years. She is survived by her two sons, James and Jason; her daughter-in-law, Miurel; the two lights of her life, grandchildren Mia and Maks; her sisters Lynn and Margaret; and nieces and nephews Nancy, Craig, Leah, Jerry, Jenny and Josh. She was preceded in death by Jim Klodt, her beloved husband of 47 years.

Susan was a nurturing mother and doting grandmother. Yet above all else, she will always be remembered as a brilliant educator. She spent most of her 33-year career teaching second grade for the Long Beach Unified School District at various elementary schools including U.S. Grant, John Muir, Thomas Edison, and Peter Burnett. She had a welcoming candor about her. When minoritized parents came to visit or ask questions, she invited them into her classroom and taught them, too. Education was everything to Susan. She relished the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of her students and their families. She often said, "Give me a group of students, and I will teach them."

Susan earned a Bachelor's degree from Cal State Long Beach and a Master's degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She earned a K-8 teaching credential and a bilingual education credential. She was a longtime member of the California Teachers Association and the National Education Association; she was an active member of the Long Beach Teachers Association. Susan used her expertise and credentials not only to educate traditional students but also to teach English to Spanish-speaking learners. Driven by her belief that education is a fundamental right, she worked to ensure that everyone had the opportunity to learn, regardless of their background. Parents, students, and colleagues often say Susan treated everyone as equals; never judgmental or prejudiced. She welcomed people with open arms, often making them feel a part of her giving circle.

Susan was loving and helpful, full of amusing stories, hard truths, and a wink of humor to impart her wisdom. When her youngest son Jason was offered a supervisory position at his job, Susan told him, “If you make it difficult for someone to ask you a question, then it's going to be your f’n fault!” Susan valued the qualities that make a great leader; she sought to help everyone realize the potential that lives within. When her eldest son James got his first job in sells, and after talking to him about what he was going to sell and what his approach would be, how he felt he would deal with his managers, she bought him a small cautionary warning sign that stated, “be careful of the toes you step on today, they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow.” Susan was never shy to tell her boys just how things were and could be. She taught her two sons to be individuals. Susan was deeply involved in their education and supported them in extracurricular activities and sporting events. She was extremely proud of her two boys. She was tough, but love is tough, a lesson she instilled in both of them.

Susan always wanted a daughter. When her younger son was born, a nurse told Susan that she would have a granddaughter one day. Mia was that granddaughter. When Susan first saw Mia, she melted with happiness and delight. She felt as though Heaven and Earth became the same place. She frequently took Mia on trips. Disneyland became their special place for many years. When her grandson Maks was born, Heaven and Earth once again became one. They bonded over Star Wars. As her grandchildren grew older into their middle school and high school years, Susan fought through rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, elbow, knee and hip replacements, and ankle fusion to make it to their activities.

Susan was a devout Catholic with a great love of the Church. She was a dedicated parishioner at St. Joseph’s Parish in Long Beach. Susan felt most grounded at church, helping with the sacraments of Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Marriage, and volunteering at special events. She felt a profound connection with families she met within her church community.

Outside family and religion, Susan was a real TV and movie buff. She absolutely loved to go to the movies and enjoy a giant tub of popcorn. Above all else, she was a real big fan of Star Trek. So much a fan, she obtained a model of the U.S.S. Enterprise and Collector Plates, each with a portrait of the crewmembers that served on it. Anytime a local event for Star Trek was happening, she was there. Don't forget the See’s Candies. She had a great desire for See’s, but not only for herself. Anytime there was a holiday or a person's special day, there would always be a bag of See’s coming your way. And she always knew which one was your favorite kind.

Susan was filled with love, energy, joy and wisdom. She maintained an active and social life throughout her days. She can now rest and be with the love of her life, Jim, her dearest friend María Lourdes Vásquez, and all those she loved who have preceded her in death. The legacy of Mrs. Klodt, as most know her, especially those who had the pleasure of her tutelage, will continue in the lives of the many people she touched so dearly.