Susan Van Sleet

Susan Van Sleet an artist, reunited birth mother and writer survived the heartbreak of placing her daughter, through closed adoption, in 1966, during an era of silent surrender and used her art to reflect a lifetime of longing for the child she was not allowed to see, and named "Mary", in her heart. Susan met her daughter - now named Jeanne, for the first time in 1993. The resemblance of how her daughter looked and the way Susan imagined her, for nearly twenty-six years, is uncanny. The reunion of mother and daughter was of epic proportion.

Susan has been an inspirational presenter at adoption conferences and a contributor to adoption newsletters, blogs and websites. She continues to guide and inspire birthmothers.

Mary & Me Beyond the Canvas; An Extraordinary Story of Adoption, Loss & Reunion is Susan's first book. This beautifully written memoir will take the reader through an emotional journey of both sadness and joy.

Susan's adoption experience has come full circle. She and her supportive husband Bruce, have three sons and five grandsons. Jeanne is also an artist. She and her husband have three daughters.

Both family trees thrive.