Susan Judith Kleszewski

Susan J. Gibelman-Kleszewski was born in New York City in 1942 and grew up in Queens, NY spending summers in Sag Harbor with her parents until they moved there full time. She graduated from Queens College in Flushing, NY in 1963 where she received her BA in Liberal Studies. She then went on to Hofstra University where she majored in English and received her Masters’ degree in Secondary Education in 1965.

Susan started her career as an English and History teacher to high schoolers but soon she realized her greatest pleasure was “when the kids would tell me their problems after school.” This began her transition to what would become her life’s work in mental health beginning with work in Social Services. Susan graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana, IL in 1974 with her Master of Social Work and continued her career with the Orange County Dept. of Welfare as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker where she worked in adoptions, in addition to beginning her work in private practice under her mentor Alice Pitman, PhD.

In 1983 Susan founded her private practice “The Center for Family Living” in the City of Corona, CA where she provided therapy to individuals, adults, children, families, couples, and groups. She also taught as a field instructor and supervised students and interns from many local universities. Susan served her community as a member of the Clinical Staff at Charter Grove Hospital from 1982 to 1992, was affiliated with Corona Community Hospital, and worked as an allied health staff member at Corona Regional Hospital. Susan was a chair on the Children’s Committee for Riverside County Dept of Mental Health from 1990 to 1998 and was a coordinator and instructor for the Riverside County American Red Cross Crisis Intervention Team. She also consulted for the Inland Empire Adult Day Care Center in Corona, CA.

From 1991 to 1998 Susan worked for Catholic Charites at the Diocese of San Bernardino as the Director of Clinical Services for Caritas Counseling Colton, CA. There, Susan Developed and administered a non-profit counseling program that provided, among other programs, child abuse treatment services and a clinical internship program for graduate students and post-masters interns. While at the Diocese of San Bernardino Susan also worked with the Family Life Commission, Disaster Preparedness Commission, and as the Director for Project Rachel from 1987 to 1998. She continued her passion of helping others while at the Diocese by writing an ongoing column in the Inland Catholic Newsletter on mental health.

Susan was devoted to the Catholic Church, and was a member of St. Edwards Church of Corona California where her, her husband, and three children began attending services in 1975. Susan was educated in Pastoral Ministry Formation and graduated from the Straling Leadership Institute, Lay ministry in 1988. For several years Susan worked for St. Edwards Church as a family life minister developing outreach programs for visitation of the sick and elderly, bereavement ministry, funeral planning, grief and loss counseling, marriage and pre-marital counseling, and coordination of volunteer staff. She also donated her time to the hospitality room after Sunday Masses and as a Lector at Mass for many years.

Susan continued to work in private practice in Corona, CA providing outpatient therapy until January 2021 when she retired at the age of 78. With her friends and family Susan enjoyed the outdoors, especially the beach and camping. She was a member of the Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy and Arbor Day Foundation. She loved antiques and her vintage house, was an avid reader, loved history, archeology, the arts, music, and theater. She was always eager to learn new things, travel and have new experiences. She spent her retirement enjoying tea with friends, doing crafts, painting ceramics, and spending time with family at the beach which reminded her of her family’s home in Sag Harbor, NY.

Susan managed very well after her Parkinson’s diagnosis for over 13 years. She passed away unexpectedly from heart complications at Riverside Community Hospital where she was being treated for a fracture after a fall. She was 81. She was a valued member of her church and community. Her passion was helping people and she was devoted to her work and the community she served.

Susan Kleszewski was preceded in death by her father William Gibelman of Sag Harbor, NY; her mother Mildred Banner of South Hampton, NY; her sister Margaret Gibelman of Teaneck, NJ, Professor of Social Work at Yeshiva University; and her husband Michael J. Kleszewski of Corona, CA. She is survived by her three children Leigh Ann Shute, Christian Kleszewski, and Katharine “Katy” Kleszewski; her grandchildren Madison Shute, Cassandra Kleszewski-Torres, Alexander Kleszewski, Andrew Kleszewski, and Ashley Kleszewski; four great-grandchildren and her beloved dog.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Matthew Church in Corona, CA on Friday October, 18, 2024 at 11:00am. Interment will be private. Please consider donating in her name to the Parkinsons Foundation or any of Susan’s favorite non-profits listed above.