Marjorie Ellen (Marge) Chandler was born in Beach Grove, IN on November 6, 1924. She passed peacefully to the spiritual world on January 16, 2024 at Aberdeen Heights Assisted Living in Tulsa where she had been a resident for nearly 15 years. She was the second of four children born to George and Elsie Sauer and was preceded in death by her parents, her older sister Genny Lesman, younger sister, Norma Butler, and her husband, James M. Chandler II.
She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Audrey Sauer, of North Fort Myers, FL; her son, Steve Chandler, of Arvada, CO; five grandchildren - Noel Chandler (Melinda) of Costa Rica, Kelly Franco of Tucson, AZ, Jamieson Chandler (Ashley) of Superior, CO, Sarah Wickens of Wheat Ridge, CO, Jennifer Wickens (Nathan McKee) of Peekskill, NY; seven great grandchildren; and, twenty nieces and nephews. Marge was affectionately known as 'GiGi' to her grandkids and great grandkids.
She grew up in Speedway, Indiana, and was in the graduating class of 1942 of Speedway High School. Following high school, she worked as a secretary in Indianapolis before meeting Jim Chandler. They were married in her home in Speedway, in August, 1946 and moved soon thereafter to Tulsa, OK, where Jim worked in the family business, Chandler Materials Co.
GiGi was the consummate dog whisperer - she loved all dogs, but especially Springer Spaniels and Irish Setters. Most all dogs that came in contact with her (even ones she had never met) immediately connected with her. For the few that didn't, there must have been something wrong with them. The only time she acted less than enthusiastic about a dog was when Steve showed her a picture of a Scottish Deerhound, a breed he was considering. Her reaction was, "Eww, that's ugly looking!" Later, however, after interacting with Steve's deerhounds in person, she came to love them as well.
Marge volunteered for a number of years at The Church of the Madalene, where she was a member. When the family moved further south in Tulsa, she became one of the original parishioners of Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church. She could recall when the Church first held Mass in the cafeteria at Memorial High School and volunteered her time and services there, as well. She was a volunteer at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, and was honored by the hospital on her completion of 50 years of service.
A funeral Mass for Marge will be held at Resurrection Church, 4804 S. Fulton Ave. Tulsa on Saturday, February 10th, beginning at 11:00 a.m. A brief reception will be held there after the service. In lieu of flowers please consider making donations to Catholic Charities, the Tulsa SPCA, or St. Francis Hospital.