Susan Chandler Nesbitt

Susan C. Nesbitt died peacefully in her sleep on May 25, 2018, after a long illness. She was 74 years old. She was the only child of Weldon and Athylene Chandler and grew up in Weaverville, N.C. She married her childhood sweetheart, James Nesbitt, in November 1963. She then graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1965 with a degree in English Education. After a tour of duty with Jim at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, the family eventually moved to Anchorage in 1976. She taught English and Social Studies at Service High School from the early 80s to the mid-90s, helping to start the Seminar School at Service. Her greatest gift and pleasure was teaching students with learning disabilities using Slingerland methodology. Her peers admired her willingness to accept and work with troubled teenagers. They said "in her kind and loving way, she was fearless and never lost her cool, and was always able to get even the most difficult students to work and cooperate with her." She is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, Dr. James Nesbitt; her son, Chris Nesbitt and his wife Susie; and her adopted daughter, Elizabeth Nesbitt. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Jon, Wade, Ember, Shila, Tryston, Shelby, Aden and Sura. She will be remembered for her wit, kindness, strength, courage, tenacity and her passionate love for her friends, their children and hers, and her dogs. She loved reading and researching and because of her generous spirit, she loved sharing with others. She also loved being on the water in any kind of boat, be it water skiing, canoeing, rafting or whale watching. A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at 5 p.m. at O'Malley's on the Green, 3651 O'Malley Road in Anchorage. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Susan's name to the AWAIC shelter or to Bean's Cafe or to your favorite charity.