Suzanne (Murphy) Brames

Suzanne (Murphy) Brames was welcomed into God’s arms in Heaven on April 14, 2022 at her winter residence in Tucson, with many family members by her side. She was born on August 21, 1939, to Francis and Freeda (Grey) Murphy in Brazil, Indiana, but spent much of her youth in Terre Haute, Indiana. On February 4, 1961, she married Fred Brames, who told his friend the day he met Sue that he had met the woman he was going to marry. During their 61 years of marriage, they lived in Jasper, Terre Haute, Indianapolis, Carmel, and Westfield and spent many winters during retirement in Tucson, Arizona. Fred and Sue also traveled extensively, both in the U.S. and abroad, with her favorite trips being to Ireland and Scotland, visiting places her family had come from.

Early in Sue’s career, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Home Economics. While pursuing a Master's degree in Child Development and Family Relations at Indiana State Teacher’s College in Terre Haute, she started several preschool programs. After moving to Indianapolis, she taught at Marian College, Cardinal Ritter High School, and Bishop Chatard High School. She left teaching to work for the American Dairy Association of Indiana, eventually retiring as the general manager. During her time at the American Dairy Association, she was instrumental in the design and construction of The Dairy Barn at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and enjoyed hosting the Indy 500 annual Rookie Luncheon and participating in all the race activities.

Sue said her greatest accomplishment in life was raising her three children to be good, moral, and successful adults - both personally and professionally. She was also extremely proud of and enjoyed spending lots of time with all of her grandchildren, despite the fact that they lived all over the country (this just gave her an excuse to travel). She spent many hours with family and friends playing games, watching basketball and football games, going to the Indy 500, making “race” cookies, watching Jeopardy, boating on Morse Reservoir, and sitting on the porch talking with friends and neighbors.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a four month old brother. She is survived by her husband Fred, children Cindy (Paul) Scheuer of Tucson, AZ, Dr. Greg Brames of Colorado Springs, CO, and Kathy (Jim) Cyr of New Braunfels, TX, as well as eight grandchildren, Connor (Hannah), Nathan (Madi), Kevin, Audrey, Emily, Adam, Haley and Luke.

A Catholic Mass celebrating her life will be held at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 17100 Springmill Rd, Westfield, IN on Friday, May 6th at 11:00 am with visitation in the Narthex at the church from 10:00-11:00 a.m. A gathering for friends and family will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm Thursday, May 5th at The Maples Clubhouse, 17083 Huntley Place, Westfield, IN. Her ashes will be interred at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery in Indianapolis, IN. The family requests no flowers.

Donations may be made in her name to either St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church or to the non-profit charity of your choice.