Obituary of Susan Ione Spage

August 23, 1944 – October 9, 2021

Susan Spage passed away peacefully at Inova Loudon Hospital in Leesburg, Virginia, on Saturday, October 9^th at the age of 77 years old with her family by her side.

Susan was born in Dayton, Ohio to Ione and Alfred Davies.  She graduated from Tenafly High School in New Jersey in 1962.   While living and working in Topeka, Kansas, she met and married the love of her life, Basil “Bill” Spage, a US Naval Officer, with whom she had three children.  Susan and Bill were stationed in the Philippines, Great Lakes, IL and Charleston, SC, where Susan got her Bachelor of Science degree from Baptist College of Charleston.  The family finally settled in northern Virginia in 1974.  Susan and Bill were married for 50 years until Bill’s death in 2015.  Susan is survived by her daughter, Helene Crowfoot; sons Andrew Spage and David Spage; sister Gwyneth Murphy; and grandchildren Melissa, Olivia, Benjamin, Wyatt, Natalie and Michael.

Once settled in Virginia, Susan began working as a high school math teacher.  She truly cherished working with students and sharing her love of advanced math.  She taught for 25 years in Fairfax County, VA and for 5 years in Loudon County, VA, with nearly 20 years at Lake Braddock High School.  Susan served as Senior Class Sponsor, Math Department Chair and helped to develop the curriculum for Discrete Math in Fairfax.

She retired in 2005 and moved with Bill to their dream home in Montross, Virginia.  Together they enjoyed hosting and cooking for their children, grandchildren, extended family and friends.  Susan and Bill joined Tappahannock Presbyterian Church, working with other members and leaders to coordinate the construction of a new church building in 2013-2014.  After Bill’s passing, Susan moved to a retirement community in northern Virginia to be close to her family.  While she made many new friends in her new home, Susan maintained friendship and commitment to the church and members who she loved.

Susan is greatly missed by her family and friends.  She was a strong, intelligent, energetic and elegant mother, wife and friend who will live on in our hearts.

A burial service is being arranged with Bill at Arlington National Cemetery.  Details will be shared when available.