Susan Elaine Schiele

November 1, 1943 - February 16, 2018

Susan Elaine Schiele (Aunt Suzy) passed away on Friday February 16th, 2018 from complications related to multisystem atrophy (MSA), a rare neurodegenerative disorder that results in Parkinson’s-like symptoms. Susan’s sister was by her side at the time. Susan was born in Portland, Oregon on November 1st, 1943 to Elaine and Felix Schiele. She was the eldest of 5 children and is survived by her siblings Hap Schiele, Kathy Savage, Gretchen Schiele and Beth Scherman along with many nieces and nephews. Susan was raised in Milwaukie, she attended Milwaukie high school and Portland State University and in 1964, at the age of 21, she began her lifelong career with Adult and Family Services. Susan spent 37 years working for families in counties across Oregon. Upon her retirement in 2001 she had many responsibilities including the Jobs program, which she helped to start in the late eighties and that supports families transitioning off of state assistance. Susan loved “the mission” and was quick to take work home and to take on extra. She valued the women and families she served and truly believed in their abilities given the right support. Personally, Susan was a sibling, friend and Aunt who could be relied upon to be organized, thoughtful and creative. She was the original glitter-bomber, no one was safe from an explosion of confetti glitter given any birthday or even an obscure holiday, Susan took any opportunity to send a card. Susan was active in the community using her years of experience in health and human services to inform, advocate and support the Healthy Start program in providing the best services possible to Clackamas County families (now Healthy Families Oregon). She also read with children at Oak Grove elementary school through the Start Making a Reader Today (SMART) program, entered her beloved roses into the Rose Festival Rose Show and often won and was a member of professional women’s groups. Susan was a dedicated painter and crafter, she spent hours in the art studio her brother built for her (pictured in front of it). Nieces and nephews remember Aunt Suzy had a long list of activities when they came to stay with her, there was always a mandatory walk around the block and a book or eight to read. She was generous with her family and enjoyed maintaining the family tree and history in general. Susan also kept up with her neighbors and they kept up with her, visiting her at the assisted living facility and at the hospital as her disease progressed. Susan’s family deeply appreciates the love and attention her neighbors and friends have shown. All are welcome to celebrate Susan’s life at The Fountains at Town Center Village at 8607 SE Causey Ave Happy Valley, OR 97086 on March 24, 2018 at 2PM with a reception to follow. Susan requested to be cremated and the family will hold a private ceremony on the Oregon Coast later this year. In lieu of flowers and cards, the family suggests donations to Start Making a Reader Today (SMART), Oregon Hospice Association, The Rose Society, Parkinson’s Resource Center of Oregon or Oregon Public Broadcasting.