Susan Elizabeth Newton

Susan wanted to be remembered for her love and joy. And no doubt she will be because of how generously she offered it to truly everyone. But she will also be remembered for her effervescence — that sparkling spirit for her family, friends and the natural world.

Susan was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on November 13, 1966, to Paula and John Newton, who nurtured her quest for knowledge and adventure. No matter where she lived or traveled, she made deep connections with people of wildly variant backgrounds — friendships she carried with her for the rest of her life.

Most of all, Susan LOVED. Her greatest love was her husband, Chris Rau. They married in 2001, having fallen in love inadvertently, attempting to set up one another’s friends with each other. They have two children, Harrison and Mackenzie, who were the very center of Susan’s heart. Together they built a beautiful life and deep roots in Arlington, Virginia.

After graduating from Lawrence Central High School, Susan attended Miami University, where a professor noticed her spark and recommended her for a job in Washington, D.C., at the National League of Cities. She left D.C. briefly to attend the University of Chicago and earn a master’s in public policy. Susan was a tough, driven, and natural leader, working as a project manager for MCI and Sprint Nextel. She then spent 10 years at the National Park Foundation, developing programs to protect the natural, cultural, and historic resources of our national parks. Wanting to make even greater change, Susan went back to school for her doctorate at the University of Missouri – St. Louis, producing a body of research on increasing diversity in the national parks. Most recently, Susan led programs focused on inclusion and equity, refugee resettlement, senior services, and affordable housing at Lutheran Services in America.

Susan loved to travel, not just as a tourist, but with an approach, which she instilled in her kids, that the privilege to see the world also helped develop perspectives and understanding. Susan spent six months studying in Luxembourg in college, hiked Machu Picchu with her mom, made a trek to the Havasupai Indian Reservation with girlfriends, explored Turkey and Italy with Chris and the family, and worked at countless National Parks. But one of Susan’s most cherished places was Sanibel Island, Florida, where she loved to walk the beach looking for seashells and dolphins, or simply sit and read in a gentle breeze. Susan had plans to hike the Dolomites for her 60th birthday in November, as well as travel to Vietnam, but life brought her a different journey, and she faced it the same way she approached everything — brave, clear-eyed, and open hearted with every step.

Susan also loved to garden, cook, bake, and dance. She savored champagne and sweets. Fittingly, her final meal was cookies from Pastries by Randolph, and a sip of champagne, shared with loved ones, with her beloved border collie, Phoibe, curled up at her side.

Susan will be greatly missed, but her love and joy live on in our hearts. Susan is survived by Chris, Harrison, and Mackenzie, and also by an older brother, David Newton, as well as a large cadre of Newton and Rau family members.

A Memorial Service for Susan Newton Rau will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 2 p.m., at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia.