Susan Jean Chandler

Susan Jean Bianco was born March 6, 1945 in San Jose, CA,
to Peter Bianco and Jean Koepke.
Soon after, Peter and his three brothers bought a cattle ranch
in Casa Grande, AZ. This became home to the four families
where all the children grew up together on Bianco Road.
They spent much of their time roaming the ranch on horseback.
All the cousins looked up to Susan and they grew to be best friends.
Susan attended elementary school at St. Anthony’s in Casa Grande, high
school at St. Mary’s in Tucson and then the University of Arizona. There
she met an Aggie boy that would later become her husband, Dick Chandler.
Susan and Dick were married February 11, 1966 and settled in Casa Grande
where they had three children, Mark, Shannon and Heather. Susan took
pride being involved with her children growing up. She participated in their
activities which included raising 4-H lambs, Cotton Debs and various other
interests. Susan was an avid supporter of Casa Grande baseball from Little
League through high school where she made many lifelong friends. Susan
loved animals of all kinds, especially her childhood horse, Chief. Susan
worked at Casa Grande Union bookstore where she enjoyed interacting with
the students. She later purchased the Baskin Robbins franchise in Casa
Grande which became a popular place for students to work and hang out.
Her true passion came with the birth of her grandchildren. While being a
full-time grandma, she found pure joy watching them grow and become the
beautiful and wonderful kids they are today. Susan spoiled her grandkids
with trips to Disneyland, which became an annual tradition. Dick and Susan
purchased a motorhome to travel and take their grandchildren on trips to
the beaches in California and Mexico and summers in Pinetop. Susan and
Dick outfitted their property with livestock pens for their grandkids which
led to them becoming competitive in the show ring with their lambs. In
recent years Susan and Dick’s passion was to travel the state and watch
their grandkids competitively show sheep and go for "the buckle". They also
enjoyed driving their motorhome up the coast to visit her family wheat farms
in Oregon and visiting cousins there. They went on many cruises including
transatlantic, the Panama Canal and various domestic trips. Susan enjoyed
these travel ventures with Dick and their good friends.
Those who knew Susan appreciated her for her feisty and spirited persona
which held true through her eight-year battle with brain cancer until she
unexpectedly succumbed on August 29, 2018 surrounded by her family.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Jean Bianco; her
brother, Mark Bianco; and her daughter, Shannon Jordan. She is survived by
her husband, Dick Chandler; son, Mark Chandler of Tucson; and daughter,
Heather Chandler of Casa Grande. She also leaves behind six grandchildren,
Haydn and Mykenzie Chandler, Tate Jordan, and Peyton, Shae and Reid
Barnes.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 8th, 2018 at 11:00
a.m. at J. Warren Funeral Chapel.
Contributions may be made in memory of Susan Chandler to Hospice of
the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.