Members of the community gathered Friday in remembrance of Santa Clarita philanthropist Charlotte Gladys Kleeman, who served our Santa Clarita Valley for decades through her outreach efforts.

Friday, dozens of community leaders met at the College of the Canyons (COC) University Center to bid farewell to Kleeman, who is remembered for her bright personality and unwavering dedication to improving her community.

Weaving Together a Quilt Of Individuals

“Charlotte was strong-willed because she strived to make things better, to make organizations better,” said close family friend Jeff Hacker. “Her word was a bond, her friendships were enduring, but she wouldn’t hesitate to disagree with you.”

Hacker described Kleeman as someone who was noticed the moment she entered a room, who could bring people together regardless of disagreements, but would hold firm to her own beliefs.

“She had this knack for weaving together a quilt of individuals to help better our community and forge new friendships,” Hacker said.

A Philanthropic Legacy

Kleeman was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in North Hollywood, California where she went on to graduate from Occidental College and earn two teaching credentials from California Lutheran University.

After working as a social worker for more than eight years, she moved to the Santa Clarita Valley in 1965 with her husband, Frank and son, Jeff – followed shortly thereafter by the birth of their daughter, Shari.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Charlotte went on to serve on the board of directors and executive board of the SCV Boys and Girls Club where she quickly became active in local fundraising.

She chaired as the Ambassador of the SCV Chamber of Commerce and by the mid-90s became a board member of the SCV Child & Family Center, the Arts Council, on the board of the Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, AAUW, and Foundation committees at College of the Canyons.

College of the Canyons

“After Frank passed away, Charlotte really started to shine bright in her own way, and was a breath of fresh air,” said COC Chancellor Dianne Van Hook. “She was upbeat and practical and witty.”

Van Hook reflected on Kleeman’s impact on the academic institution, touching the lives of thousands of students through her and her husband’s efforts as COC Foundation committee members.

“She inspired people to take those chances to believe in themselves, and even though she was persistent and had strong opinions, she also was a person of unquestionable character,” Van Hook continued.

With her extensive history of volunteering with local nonprofits, Kleeman was named SCV Woman of the Year in 1996. Her husband, Frank was named SCV Man of the Year in 2002.

Frank, 82, passed away in 2016. Charlotte followed on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at the age of 85.

“Her sparkle paved the way for others, and she helped people every step of the way,” Van Hook said.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.