Susan E Aslin

Susan E. Aslin was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and a friend to many. Known affectionately as Susie to childhood friends and family, Sue as a young married woman and mother, and Susan in her professional life, the title she cherished most was "Nana."

Born in St. Louis, Missouri on April 26, 1939, to William and Rosemary Steinmetz, Susan grew up in Lemay/South County. She had one brother, Billy, who was tragically killed on Christmas Eve in 1956, and a sister, Jacquelin H. Doermer (d. 1988).

Susan graduated from Mehlville High School in 1957 and began her college studies at Southeast Missouri State College in Cape Girardeau. It was there she met her future husband, Jim Aslin, her senior student advisor and she earned her "MRS". They were married on September 6, 1958, in St. Louis, where Jim began his teaching career and they started their family, welcoming daughters Shawn and Erin, lovingly referred to as "the beginning and the end."

In 1971, Jim's career with McGraw Hill Book Company took the family to St. Paul, Minnesota. In the summer of 1978, when Erin became seriously ill, Jim and Susan made the life-changing decision to leave their jobs and relocate to Tucson, Arizona by Christmas, in hopes of improving their daughter’s health. There, they built new lives, found new careers, and became deeply rooted in the community.

Susan and Jim were active members of Tanque Verde Lutheran Church and dedicated members of Rotary International. Their Rotary involvement enriched their lives as they hosted youth exchange students, participated in friendship exchanges, and formed lifelong friendships around the world. As a member of Pantano Rotary Club, Susan held several board positions, including president, and proudly supported Jim during his term as District 5500 Governor in 2006–2007.

Over the years, Susan held many roles: secretary, stay-at-home mom, teacher’s aide, realtor, job developer, and enthusiastic volunteer at her church, Rotary, and Madison’s preschool class. Her capacity to give was endless.

In 2012, Susan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Jim’s sudden passing was a heartbreaking loss, particularly for Susan as she navigated her diagnosis. She remained in her home for five years until her safety necessitated a move. After a difficult 18 months at The Forum during the isolating COVID period, she spent her final years at Starfish~Riverhills. The family is profoundly grateful to Jessica and the compassionate care team who supported Susan and her loved ones throughout this journey.

Susan is survived by her loving daughters, Shawn Aslin-Davison and Erin Silva (Scott); and her treasured granddaughters, Haley Silva (Khanor) and Madison Davison. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Mick Aslin and family, niece and nephew Sharon and Keith (Jacquelin’s children) and their families, along with Steinmetz, Aslin, and Moore cousins. Special friends include Jan Friedmeyer Lore, her childhood friend, and John Lewis, a dear family friend.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Tanque Verde Lutheran Church (in the chapel), with a reception to follow in Linder Hall. Address: 8625 E. Tanque Verde Road, Tucson, AZ.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Rotary International’s PolioPlus program at endpolionow.org, or to the music programs at Tanque Verde Lutheran Church.