Resident of Alamo Susan Tripaldi was born in Long Beach, California on June 25th, 1946, to Ray and Dorothietta Houghton. She was the older sister to Marsha and Phillip. She had a wonderful childhood, mainly living and growing up in Modesto, CA. She grew up focused on dancing (ballet, tap and jazz) and would later become an accomplished dancer. She also grew up playing golf as her family home was located near the first green of Del Rio Country Club.
Susan graduated from Grace M. Davis High School in 1964 and went onto San Francisco State University where she continued her focus on dancing. During that time, Susan was one of the first Golden State Warriors cheerleaders.
As well, she became Miss San Francisco and was a runner up in the Miss California Pageant. Two very good friends, Bill and Barry Connolly introduced Susan and David. They met in November of 1966, were engaged in March, and married on June 24, 1967. Love at first sight. They quickly started a family that grew from one to four children in six years. Susan was the best mother raising her four children. Over the years, their family grew to include four spouses, thirteen grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Her family was the absolute most important thing in the world to her.
Susan balanced a lot while raising her four children with David. She was a dance instructor, teaching ballet, tap and jazz for many years. She also loved to play golf with the ladies at Orinda Country Club. Later in life Susan developed a passion for painting. Many of the walls in her children’s homes are adorned with Susan’s beautiful paintings. But, first and foremost, Susan was a wife and amom. She was put on this earth to be amom and she was a great one. Her husband and four children meant the world to her.
She joins her husband David, who passed away in 2024, in heaven. She will be missed every day by her children Jeffrey (Betsy), Gregory (Jill), Shannon (Joe), David Jr.
(Robin, deceased) and by her grandchildren Michael Tripaldi (Allie), Matthew Tripaldi, Joseph Tripaldi, Nicholas Tripaldi, Sadie Tripaldi, Luke Tripaldi, Joey Donnelly, Emma Donnelly, Meghan Donnelly, Ryan Donnelly, Grace Donnelly, Hank Tripaldi, Charlie Tripaldi, and great granddaughter, Elle Tripaldi.
Susan was such a loving, caring person, who loved to spend time with her family. Wewere all so lucky to be a part of her life. She will never be forgotten.
A celebration of life will be held at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo on Monday, June 2ndfrom 2-5pm.
Susan, we all love you somuch. Your legacy will live on forever. Rest in Peace.