09/24/09

Susan Louise Lawler
Feb 28, 1962 – Jul 10, 2004
“The Wind Beneath Our Wings”

Loving wife and friend.  Born February 28, 1962 in Hollywood, California to Walter and Nancy DeSilva; died July 10, 2004 in Portland, Oregon at the age of 42 due to complications from surgery and breast cancer.  Graveside services to be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Portland, Oregon, Saturday, July 17^th at 9:30am.  There will be a reception at Sunset Presbyterian Church following.  Mt. Calvary is asking for attendees to be there by 9:10 to 9:15am.

Susan graduated from San Pedro High School, San Pedro, California and her most enjoyable occupation was that of Sales Representative, Ice Capades - Ice Chalet.  Susan was married to Mark Lawler in January of 1995 at the Neighborhood Church, Palos Verdes, California.  Susan and Mark moved to Portland, Oregon in September of 1995 and settled down.  She was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer and Hodgkin ’s disease eight years ago at the age of 34 and never tired of staring it down and fighting it. 

Susan is best remembered for making those around her laugh, her singing voice, avid doll collecting, love of everything Disney, “I Love Lucy”, love of children, planning parties, giving gifts, weddings, and her taste for fully coordinated and matching outfits.  She enjoyed traveling, her favorite destinations being Disneyland, Disney World, Maui, San Luis Obispo, Israel, and England.

Susan is survived and truly missed by her husband, Mark Lawler; her mother, Nancy Bloch; step fathers, Don Martin and Ralph Bloch; step mothers Renee Martin and Betty DeSilva; brothers John DeSilva and Christopher Martin; sisters Jennifer Dolce and Samantha Capik; step sisters Michelle Millimet and Christine Heidbrink; step brother Chuck Heidbrink; her father and mother-in-laws Harold and Jeanette Lawler; her fuzzy son, “Freddy”, her golden retriever; and her many friends and family both in California and in Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, Susan and her husband would appreciate remembrances to any of these fine medical institutions that helped Susan so much over these years: Joyce Eisenberg Keefer Breast Center, John Wayne Cancer Institute, Saint John’s Health Center, Santa Monica, California (310-315-6111); City of Hope, Duarte, California (866-434-HOPE); Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon (503 494-0582); The Oregon Clinic, Portland, Oregon (503-215-5696); Northwest Cancer Specialists, Portland, Oregon (503-239-7767); Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Portland, Oregon (503-216-2227); Providence Portland Medical Center, Portland, Oregon (503-215-6186).