Susan Stein Gavens
September 13, 1957 - March 10, 2018
Resident of Saratoga
Susan was born in Hong Kong and raised by her parents, Herb and Justine Stein in Barstow, CA. After graduating from Barstow High School in 1975 she attended UC Berkeley and earned a BA in Molecular Biology in 1979. While at Berkeley she met her future husband, Lee Gavens, and they were married at her family home in 1981. Susan continued her education and graduated from Brandeis University with a PhD in Biology in 1987. Following her graduation, Susan and Lee moved to Santa Clara county where they have lived ever since.
Susan was an extremely kind and loving individual and she became active in several community organizations that reflected her temperament. For 11 years Susan was a loving preschool teacher at South Peninsula Hebrew Day School. Susan chaperoned the high school March of the Living Program 4 times. The program visits Poland and she would console the participants as they learned about the Holocaust. Susan held several senior volunteer position at the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, an umbrella organization for Jewish charities in the South Bay, and was currently serving in her second year as Co-Chairman of the organization. She was also working with Breathe For Change, creating a nurturing environment for educators learning to use mindfulness techniques.
Susan is survived by her husband Lee, their children Daniel (Sarah) and Abigail, her brother Phillip Stein and her sister Julie Stein. She was predeceased by her parents Herb and Justine.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday March 13 at 9:30 AM at Congregation Beth David in Saratoga, CA. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Congregation Beth David, the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.