Susan Judith Sayers, 85, passed away peacefully in the early hours of December 31 surrounded by her husband and children. Susan was born in Newark, New Jersey to the late Lee (Taner) and Joseph Braff. Preceded in death by her brother Hal Braff, she is survived by her beloved husband Gary Sayers, daughters Connie Marshall, Julie Moyer, and Emily Nelsen and their families, including 7 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Susan received a bachelor’s degree in English from Douglass College and a master’s degree in counseling from Shippensburg State College. She began her career in social work, after which she owned and ran successful local businesses including the Glass Lounge on North Front Street in Harrisburg, The River Room also on North Front Street, and Sayer’s Let’s Talk Turkey at the West Shore Farmer’s Market in Lemoyne.
An avid movie enthusiast, she and Gary attended the annual Toronto Film Festival 22 times. She volunteered for the Harrisburg Jewish Film Festival and helped establish the Midtown Cinema, Harrisburg’s art house movie theater. Susan was a devoted fundraiser for the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, breast cancer and autism awareness, and local Democratic candidates. When she was not travelling or going to the movies, she could be found playing mah-jongg, attending book club, having lunch with friends, and spending time with family.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Susan’s memory can be made to the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and the American Breast Cancer Foundation.
