Susan B (Baer) DeRemer, PhD

In the presence of her loving family, Susan Baer DeRemer, PhD, 64, Swatara Township, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at Osteopathic Hospital.

Born March 18, 1954 in Harrisburg, she was the daughter of Kenneth Baer and Lorna Kimmel Baer.  Following her graduation from Central Dauphin East High School, Susan attended Ithaca (NY) College and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy.  After working in her field and raising her family, she returned to college and, at the age of 60, received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Boston University in 2014.  Susan was a life-long learner, and took every opportunity to teach her children important life lessons.  She was also a trustee emeritus of Harrisburg Academy.

She was a long time member of Paxton Presbyterian Church, where she had been a teacher for the Little Lambs Sunday School Class, a Deacon, an Elder, a Stephen’s Minister and a Wonderful Wednesday leader.  She was  an avid Steelers fan and loved to read;  every book from historical novels to her romance “beach books”.  An excellent cook, she was well known for her ability to change recipes or not need one at all.  She enjoyed music, especially Motown and Jazz, and occasionally having a dance party.

The most important part of her life, however, was her beloved family.  Every game, every event in which her children participated was a priority for her.  Susan took them on great adventures:  walking through the woods, traveling to Alaska, Europe and Kuwait; and she always planned every trip in great detail and knew facts about each place they visited.  From the 1980s through 2008, they spent many vacations at Disney World, sometimes driving, sometimes on the train.

Susan loved going to Bethany Beach with friends and family.  It was there that she could relax, read her novels, and use her artistic talents to paint wine glasses to give as gifts.  It was definitely her “happy place”.

Fiercely loyal, she was a collector of people.  Her home was always open; to the 23 exchange students who spent time with her either for a semester or just over the holidays or to the many friends and family members who would attend her legendary ‘Christmas Eve Eve’ parties.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents:  W. Orville and Florenda Kimmel; her brother:  David Baer; and her step-grandson:  Luke Szekeres.

Surviving is her husband of 27 years:  Robert L. Slagle; her mother:  Lorna Kimmel Baer, Harrisburg; her father:  Kenneth Baer, Albuquerque, NM; her son:  Michael R. DeRemer (and his wife, Lindsay DeRemer), Hummelstown; her daughter:  Erin E. Giambrone (and her husband, Nino Giambrone, Jr.), Hummelstown; her sister:  Ellen C. Naylor (and her husband, Dr. Douglas Naylor Jr.), Cleveland, OH; 4 grandchildren:  Wesley M. DeRemer, Nino E. Giambrone, III, Kai A. DeRemer and Lydia M. Giambrone; her nieces and nephews:  Kyle Baer, Kaitlin (Baer) Glennon, Amanda Naylor, Cassidy Naylor, Douglas Naylor III, Emily Naylor and Elizabeth Naylor (and their families); her step-children:  Robert L. Slagle, II (and his wife, Cyndie Slagle), Philadelphia, Dr. Richard B. Slagle, Lebanon, Kimberly D. Szekeres, Hershey, and John R. DeRemer, III (and his wife, Dr. Robin DeRemer), Elizabethtown;  6 step-grandchildren:  Robert Slagle, III, Theodore C.G. Slagle, Caroline Slagle, Madeline Szekeres, Jack DeRemer and Pierson De Remer; and many, many dear friends.

Services will be held 11:00 am Friday, July 27, 2018 at Paxton Presbyterian Church, 3500 Sharon Street, Harrisburg, with the Rev. John W. Green officiating. Friends will be received from 9:30 am until 10:30 am Friday at the church.  There will also be a visitation Thursday, July 26 at the church from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Burial will be in East Harrisburg Cemetery.

Contributions may be made to Paxton Presbyterian Church, 3500 Sharon Street, Harrisburg, PA  17111.

W. Orville Kimmel Funeral Home, Inc., Harrisburg, is handling arrangements.