Susan Elizabeth Ream
1932 ~ 2007
Susan Elizabeth Ream died suddenly on August 6th, 2007 from complications resulting from a fall.Susan was born on June 21, 1932 in Oakland, California. She was the oldest child and only daughter in a family of five children born to Helen Swensen and Milton Parke Ream.
She grew up in Hayward, California, received a BA from Brigham Young University and an MA in English from Columbia University.
Susan proudly served our country as an officer in naval communication and codes in Washington D.C.
She taught English for many years at BYU and particularly enjoyed her creative writing classes. Susan was a kind and sensitive person and had a lot of empathy for the struggles of students. Her keen sense of humor and vivid imagination made her classes interesting and enjoyable.
She was active for many years in the University's science fiction conventions, often hosting famous authors in her home for dinner and discussions. She was a generous person, giving of her time and resources to help family, neighbors and others in need. She frequently donated books to community libraries where others could enjoy and share her love of literature. In her retirement years she studied painting. She was a member of the Utah Valley Artist Guild and regularly hung work in their shows where she won a number of prizes for her watercolors.
It was her friend, artist Patricia Chiu, she called for help after her fall and who was with her in her last few moments in this life.
Susan was a dog lover and over the years had a number of pets who surely knew they had won the lottery of dog life by being loved and cared for by her.
She was a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For many years she served as a temple worker, diligently rising early in the morning to perform this service.
She was preceded in death by her mother, father and two brothers. She is survived by her two brothers, Dr. Allen K. Ream of Woodside, California and John Stephen Ream of Bencia, California, three nephews and many loving cousins.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 11, 2007 at 2pm at the Oak Hills Stake Center in Provo, Utah, 925 East North Temple Drive. Friends are invited to meet with the family a half hour before service.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to local charities or libraries while thinking of her bright spirit and loving nature. Condolences may be sent to info@bergmortuary.com