Susan Elaine Lance

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of the Lord” ~ Matthew 25:21

Susan Elaine Wood Lance, 82 years of age, passed away on September 20th, 2024, at her home in Cerritos, CA, surrounded by family. Sue was born in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, Canada, on November 8, 1941 to Allan Orval and Beulah Elaine Gardiner Wood. She was the oldest of three children: sister Phyllis Wood Gould (1947) and brother William Edward Wood (1951). She was predeceased by her husband, Gary Mackenzie Lance. In 59 years of marriage, their family includes 2 great-great grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, 12 grandchildren, and five children: Jeffrey Mackenzie Lance (Susan), Jonathan Kevin Lance (Bernadette), Jody Christopher Lance, Kimberly Suzanne Petersen (Eric), and Kelli Elizabeth Brooks. Her family was always her main love and concern, and she was often called ‘the glue’ that held the family together. Celebrating holidays and family member’s birthdays were important, and she delighted in organizing these.

Sue lived her early years in Liverpool before moving with her family to Potsdam, New York in 1951, when her father was offered a job at Nekoosa Edwards Paper Company. Not long after the family’s arrival in America, Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of England (1953), and the Queen made a tour of Canada in 1954. Still Canadian citizens, Sue’s family joined the throngs of people on sidewalks and waved their congratulations to Her Majesty. Religion and music were always an important part of the Wood family, so soon, the family joined the Potsdam Presbyterian Church. This became an essential part of Susan’s week for the twelve years she spent in Potsdam. It was there where she and her siblings were baptized and confirmed, and all sang in the choirs. Susan began piano lessons as a youngster in Canada and continued lessons in Potsdam. She attended the Congdon Campus School where classroom teachers had weekly college student observers as part of their preparation for teacher education. Additionally, there were student observers from the Julia E. Crane School of Music and those students often helped teach brass, woodwind, percussion, and string instruments to small groups of students. It was through the Crane School faculty that Susan became a part of annual musical shows from her junior high through high school years at Potsdam Central School from where she graduated in June 1959. Her high school years were filled with activities and involvement in the National Honor Society, Yearbook Staff, Cheerleading, Band, and Orchestra. She was selected for New York’s All-State Music Festival, Senior Executive Committee, Class Officer, Intramurals for 4 years, and Junior Prom Queen Attendant.

Sue’s college years were at the Julia E. Crane School of Music where she majored in Voice and was one of the top soloists during her four years there. It was there that she met Gary Lance, a fellow musician, who would later become her husband. Following her 1963 graduation, she followed Gary to Los Angeles, California, where she entered USC on scholarship as a Voice Major in the Master of Arts Program. Often, life creates paths different from what you’d choose for yourself; so, Susan changed universities to complete her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction (University of St. Paul). Sue and Gary married on April 10, 1965, at the Downey Presbyterian Church and then watched their home in Cerritos be built in 1969.

Susan began her teaching career in the Garden Grove Unified School District in 1963, traveling to five elementary schools instructing general music classes and choirs. She taught junior high instrumental and vocal music in two school districts (Ontario and Bellflower USDs) before joining the faculty at the Lincoln School in the Paramount Unified School District where she taught grades five and six, instrumental and choral music, and led an adult vocal ensemble called Abe’s Babes over a thirteen-year period. Her educational career in that district spanned 35 years and included being a Resource Teacher at Mokler School, Assistant Principal at Roosevelt School, Principal at both Gaines and Hollydale Schools, and she finished her career as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services. She joined the international education society of Delta Kappa Gamma in 1977 and remained an active member for 45 years. Following her 2003 retirement, Susan joined the non-profit Children’s Benefit League of Long Beach, where she acted as President, along with several other offices, and spent years helping the league raise money for local clinics that serve children and families with medical needs. Many knew Sue for her compassion, big smile, joyful attitude, heart of service and commitment to excellence.

In December 2021, Sue was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She fought a strong battle against this challenging disease, that included surgeries, chemotherapy, intravenous nutrition, numerous procedures, and participation in a clinical trial. On September 20th, 2024, the Lord freed her from this battle and took her home to rest in eternal life. A Celebration of Life will be held at Grace First Presbyterian Church of Long Beach on November 8, 2024. Her ashes will be placed in the family plot at the Artesia District Cemetery. Should you wish to donate in Sue’s name, please consider Grace First Presbyterian Church of Long Beach, Children’s Benefit League of Long Beach or PanCan Organization for pancreatic cancer research.

~ All is well with my soul”

In honor of Sue's favorite color and also the pancreatic cancer awareness ribbon, the family encourages all family and friends to wear something purple to her celebration.  💜