In Loving Memory of Susan Mae Chandler Slaikjer Harris

(August 28,1936 – February 26, 2025)

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Susan Mae Chandler Slaikjer Harris on February 26, 2025, at the age of 88. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend who touched countless lives with her warmth, wit, and unwavering love.

Born in Portland, Oregon, in 1936 to Pauline and Alfred Chandler, she attended Lincoln High School, where she dreamed of becoming an artist or a writer. Though life led her in a different direction, her creativity and storytelling never faded. She met and married Harold LeRoy Slaikjer, with whom she built a life and family, and traveled the country in their 5th wheel for 5 years, until his sudden passing in 1999. She filled the years afterwards with visits, travel and playing games with her family and friends and volunteered for many years as a "Pink Lady" at Asante Rogue Regional Hospital. She married her longtime friend, William Harris in 2013 and was widowed once more in 2017.

She is survived by her loving sister, Nancy Nelson; her children, Deanna Gomez (Charlie) Of New Providence, NJ, Donna Eisenstein (Mark) of Medford, and David Slaikjer (Julie) of Beaverton Oregon; her cherished grandchildren, Emily Pace (Vancouver, WA), Adam Eisenstein (Medford), Brian Gomez, Katie Gomez, Kelly Gomez (New Providence, NJ), Delaney Slaikjer (Limerick, Ireland), and Jakob Slaikjer (Beaverton); and two great-grandchildren, Harrison, age 4, and Caleb, age 6 months, whom she adored. Although her physical limitations prevented her from seeing them in person very often, she loved receiving and seeing pictures of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, which brought her great joy.

A fierce lover of games, puzzles, and trivia, she was particularly passionate about movies and movie stars. She could always be counted on to provide an answer to any film-related question and was a true trivia buff when it came to classic cinema.

In her later years, she gradually experienced the effects of Alzheimer's and spent her final years at A Touch of Grace Memory Care (now Meadowlark Memory Care), where she received compassionate care from a dedicated staff to whom we are deeply grateful. We would also like to acknowledge Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center and their incredibly kind and caring ER staff, who, amidst a busy night, ensured she passed with dignity, surrounded by her family.

Through all of life's joys and hardships, she remained strong, loving, and full of humor. We will forever miss her wit, her love, and the quiet strength she carried through life.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday March 8th at 11:00 a.m. at Perl Siskiyou Memorial to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

She will be deeply missed but forever cherished.