Obituary of Susan Moran Schram

Susan Moran Schram
July 7th, 1928 – March 19th, 2018

Mrs. Susan Moran Schram, long time Reston resident and co-founder of Reston’s Used Bookstore, passed away peacefully on  March 19,  2018 at Reston Hospital, surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and friends.   Over her 89 years her keen mind and humor were never diminished, and she only recently returned from a visit to her son and daughter in law in The Netherlands – her 35th ‘solo’ trip to Holland over the last two decades.   

Born in Chicago on July 7th, 1928, she and her sisters Nancy Moran Larson (also of Reston), Jim Moran (deceased 2007), and Martha Moran Thompson were raised in Escanaba, a small town in the Michigan Upper Peninsula.  A standout student and debater, she attended Ripon College for a year before completing her Journalism degree in 1950 at the University of Michigan.   At Ripon she met Ward Remington Schram of Shorewood, Wisconsin. After their graduations Ward enlisted in the Air Force and flew 100 combat missions in Korea, while Sue worked in Chicago.  They corresponded throughout his service and after returning stateside Ward proposed to Sue.  Their wedding was celebrated at the Escanaba Episcopal Church on December 28th, 1955.

For a period Ward worked for his father Clayton, then president of Milwaukee’s Checker Cab, before starting an early office automation business.  Children Robin, Chris and Andy were born in Milwaukee.   During the early 1960s Sue and Ward were involved in the Civil Rights movement.  While participating in marches and political process, the family also help make quiet strides – like lodging a black student who could not find accommodations, and helping a black family friend secure a mortgage in a white neighborhood.   The activism led to a compelling job offer for Ward, and the family relocated to the Washington, DC area where Ward worked in the Johnson Administration on the War on Poverty.

They were drawn to the ‘New Town’ of Reston in June 1966, moving to Waterview Cluster when the community boasted around 500 residents in Lake Anne.  Sue had boundless energy and managed to balance family life with a range of interests, activities, and later work.   In 1970 she returned to her journalistic roots and took the position and circulation manager for the Reston Times;  in these tumultuous 70’s her role was primarily ensuring the paper boys and girls delivered the new edition on time, but also counseling, encouraging, and lending a patient ear to her young charges.   

In 1977, with all three children at college, she and her best friend Sue (Weston) Wensell opened Reston’s Used Bookshop.   It was immediately successful and soon became a popular hub and meeting place, and though they passed the business on to new owners nearly 20 years ago, the ‘Two Sues” were celebrated this January at the shop’s 40th anniversary.  Long active in local Democratic politics, Sue worked on a number of campaigns and until recently she worked as a poll watcher.  St. Anne’s  parishioners were welcomed by Sue and sister Nancy as ushers until both were well into their 80s.

Husband Ward passed away in March 2002, but until her passing Sue continued to live independently in her condo on Lake Anne Plaza.   Sue leaves a loving extended family and circle of friends.  Her survivors (and legacy) are daughter Robin Moran Fogelson and her husband Jason Fogelson of Canton, Michigan; son Chris Schram and wife Josey Mos Schram of Den Haag, Netherlands; Chris’ former wife Mary Delaney and their children Andrew P. Schram, his wife Diana Shyu Schram and their daughter Sophia Marie Schram, and Christy T. Schram; son Andrew C. Schram and his wife Valerie Schram, and their children Michael Schram and Grace Schram. Sue was a proud and radiant participant in grandson Andy and Diana’s wedding in April, 2016, and had regular opportunities to dote on her great-granddaughter Sophia since her birth last August.

The family has lost a matriarch, someone who combined a fine mind and wonderful sense of humor with love, compassion, and an ability to light up any room she entered.  Her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends profoundly miss this truly amazing person.   

Reston has also lost a dynamic and beloved early resident and special part of the community.  She took pride in her civic and political engagement, and in founding and growing Reston’s Used Bookstore, but found greater satisfaction in the continuing correspondence, greetings, and well wishes by the now-grown generation of paperboys and bookstore student-staff, their children, and in recent years their grandchildren.

Services will be on April 7th at 3:30pm at St. Anne's Episcopal Church, Reston, VA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Embry Rucker Shelter or to the National Democratic Party.