Stephanie Jan Halaiko Chivers, age 91 of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania departed this life on February 16th, 2026. She passed peacefully in the comfort of her home in Kingston Springs, Tennessee, surrounded by loved ones.
Stephanie was born on March 1, 1934, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Stephen and Martha Halaiko. She played tennis at Penn State before beginning her career as a prominent operative in state and national politics. She was the first female Republican ever elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives from Shelby County. She also served in the George H.W. Bush administration in the Office of Presidential Personnel. Stephanie was best known as a longtime senior advisor to the U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, a former Republican National Committeewoman (2000), and for her work on campaigns, including Bob Corker’s U.S. Senate bid. She served as an assistant commissioner in the Department of Commerce and Insurance under Gov. Don Sundquist. In 2002, she made national news when she granted a boxing license to Mike Tyson for a fight in Memphis.
Stephanie married her beloved husband Noel K. Chivers in 1961, and they had two children, Rusty and Tom. Stephanie was an avid sports fan, especially tennis, golf, and football. She loved reading, bird-watching, and all sweet treats. Her greatest joy was being surrounded by her loving family, friends, and pets. She was immensely proud of her children and grandchildren and delighted in loving and spoiling them. Stephanie touched the lives of everyone she encountered with her warmth and generosity. She had a beautiful gift of making meaningful, sincere connections everywhere she went.
In addition to her parents, Stephanie was preceded in death by her sisters, Toni, Marcia, and Patricia; and her daughter-in-law Lacy. She is survived by her husband, Noel; her brother, Billy Halaiko; her sons, Rusty Chivers (Lacy) and Tom Chivers (Samantha); her grandchildren, Jessica Taggart (Doug), Caitlyn Anderson (Cody), Lila Chivers, Witt Chivers, Max Chivers, and Avie Chivers; her great-grandchildren, Alexis and Abram Taggart, and Revel and Alden Anderson; and many extended family members and dear family friends.