Susan Bernstein Stauber

Susan Bernstein Stauber, beloved wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, teacher, and friend, passed away on July 23, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She lived a life defined by boundless curiosity, fierce intellect, deep kindness, and an unwavering belief in the goodness of people.

Susan was born on February 12, 1946, in Gaffney, South Carolina, the first child of Richard and Ethel Bernstein. From an early age, she stood out not only for her accomplishments, but for something far more enduring. Everyone who knew Susan, from childhood through adulthood, said the same thing: she was kind to everyone.

Education was both Susan's calling and her joy. She spent many years as a reading teacher at Fairview Middle School, where she inspired generations of students with her love of books and language. She concluded her teaching career instructing GED classes for support staff at Florida State University, a role she cherished deeply. Susan believed in the transformative power of education, adored her students, and found immense fulfillment in helping others discover confidence through learning. Her students loved her in return.

Susan had an insatiable love of words. She was happiest curled up in her favorite armchair with a good book or a crossword puzzle. She also found joy in the arts and never turned down an opportunity to see a Broadway show, attend the ballet, or wander through a museum.

One of her greatest passions was travel. Susan often said she didn't need fancy jewelry or designer clothes—just enough money to travel wherever her daughter was and to explore the wonders of the world together. She embraced adventure with enthusiasm, visiting places near and far. She had a remarkable gift for noticing the beauty others overlooked. She delighted in sharing those small wonders with everyone around her, reminding them to slow down and appreciate the extraordinary hidden in ordinary moments.

Susan's home was a place of warmth, laughter, and welcome. The comforting aromas of soups simmering on the stove and baked treats fresh from the oven greeted anyone who walked through her door. Family, friends, neighbors, and strangers were welcomed with open arms. She delighted in bringing people together, hosting Seders, Hanukkah celebrations, break-fasts, and countless holiday gatherings that created lifelong memories and lasting traditions for all who knew and loved her.

Nothing, however, brought Susan greater joy than her family. She adored her two grandsons, Leo and Jack, showering them with love, endless baked goods, thoughtful care packages, and surprises sent across the miles from Florida to New York. She was an incredible Nana and a wonderful mother, celebrating every accomplishment and milestone of her daughter and grandchildren with joy and excitement.

Above all else, Susan's greatest love was her beloved husband, Alvin "Vinny" Stauber. Their love story began when Susan was just nine years old and Vinny was her Hebrew teacher at B'nai Israel in Spartanburg, South Carolina. What began as childhood admiration blossomed into a lifelong partnership. They were married in 1969 in a ceremony officiated by Vinny's father, Max Stauber, and together they built a remarkable marriage spanning more than five decades—a love story that endured across seven decades of their lives. Their devotion to one another was steadfast, joyful, and an inspiration to everyone who knew them.

Susan will be remembered for her generous spirit, her welcoming heart, her brilliant mind, and her ability to make every person feel seen and valued. She taught not only in classrooms but through the example of her own life: to remain curious, to be kind, to embrace adventure, to gather people around a table, and to always find beauty in the world.

Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the students she inspired, the friends she welcomed, and the countless lives made richer simply because they knew her. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

She is survived by her husband Alvin Stauber; daughter Mimi (Mara) Stauber-Levy; grandchildren Leo and Jack Stauber-Levy; sister Sally (Paul) Ginburg; sisters-in-law Naomi Stauber and Lynn (Jerry) Greenberg; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Ethel and Richard Bernstein, and brother, Charles (Chuck) Bernstein.

The funeral will be held on Sunday, July 26, at 10:00 AM, at Roselawn Cemetery, 843 Piedmont Drive, Tallahassee, FL, 32312. Shiva will begin immediately following the graveside service until 3:30 pm, at the home of Elaine Harris and Irwin Kantrowitz, 422 Vinnedge Ride, Tallahassee, FL 32303. The afternoon minyan service will occur at 12:30 PM.