Elizabeth Schaff Sloan

Elizabeth Schaff Sloan died peacefully on Monday, September 21 at the age of 67. She is survived by her son David (daughter-in-law Alexis), her daughter Emily, her sister Pamela Schaff, and her brother William Schaff. Elizabeth was born in Pittsburgh, PA to Jay and Manya Schaff, and attended the Ellis School until she moved with her family to Los Angeles, CA in 1971. She graduated from Fairfax High School, attended the University of California, Los Angeles, and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arizona. She practiced nursing at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, which is where she met her husband, Dr. Gerald “Gerry" Sloan. They married in 1988, welcomed their son David in 1991, and their daughter Emily in 1994. When Gerry joined the medical faculty of the University of North Carolina, the family moved to Chapel Hill. In addition to raising her children, Elizabeth volunteered at their elementary school, the Seymour Center, and local animal shelters. She was always a gracious hostess when Gerry welcomed his students and trainees to their home for graduation celebrations.

She was very active at Orange United Methodist Church, later at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, and thereafter at United Church of Chapel Hill. After her beloved Gerry died in 2014, Elizabeth was blessed to make the acquaintance of Dr. Gregg Gunnell, who was a very special friend and partner to Elizabeth until his untimely death in 2017.

Elizabeth was a wonderful writer and her work appeared in many local publications. She loved to travel, and especially enjoyed spending time in Greece and the Caribbean. She was an avid gardener and amateur ornithologist, and enjoyed the many birds who frequented her backyard feeders. She loved working on arts and crafts projects and was an excellent painter. She quilted, crocheted, knitted, and did cross-stitch (often with amusing messages). She also made beautiful greeting cards for her loved ones for all occasions. She loved to play the guitar, enjoyed reading and listening to books, and watching British television dramas.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2026 at 2:00 P.M. at the United Church of Chapel Hill, located at 1321 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory can be made to Blood Cancer United.

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