Susan Engel Naus

Susan Engel Naus, 77, of Indianapolis, died peacefully on May 25th following a long illness. Susan was born in Indianapolis on February 9, 1946, and resided and worked in Indianapolis her entire life, except for fourteen years in South Bend, Indiana. Susan is survived by her loving family: husband Jim, daughters Anne Naus Kelley of Indianapolis and Lynne Naus of Chicago, and grandson Justin Kelley. She is also survived by her sister Em (Tom) Sylvester of Avon, IN, brother Mitch (Kris) Engel of Lake Forest, IL, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Audrey and Stanley Engel. Susan graduated from North Central High School in 1964 and Miami University in 1967, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She remained active at Miami, serving on the Miami University Foundation and Miami University Alumni Association Boards of Directors. She was president of the Foundation from 2014 to 2016. She was also a founding member of M.I.A.M.I. Women Giving Circle and Leadership Symposium. Susan received the Spirit of Philanthropy Award and the John E. Dolibois Alumni Award for distinctive service to the University. Susan began her career as a high school English teacher in South Bend. After teaching for two years and the birth of her daughters, she volunteered in a variety of organizations. Susan was a member of the Junior League of South Bend, where she served as president and treasurer. Susan was a founding member of the Hospice of St. Joseph County Board of Directors and helped secure its initial funding. She served on the Boards of Directors of Planned Parenthood of North Central Indiana, Midwest Pops Orchestra, and Voluntary Action Center. After Susan moved back to Indianapolis in 1982, she began taking classes at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis so that she could sit for the CPA Exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, she began her accounting career with Somerset CPAs in 1989. She became its first female partner and worked there for over 21 years before her retirement in 2010. She mentored younger staff, especially women, and was instrumental in setting up the Firm's Financial Literacy for Women program. In the Indianapolis community she served as a member and treasurer of the Washington Township Schools Foundation Board of Directors and was a member of the Kelley School of Business Board of Visitors. She also served as Chair of the Host Services Committee for the Tenth Pan American Games in 1987. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Junior League of Indianapolis and of the Blood Center of Indianapolis. Through the years she also volunteered in her daughters' and grandson's schools. There will be a Celebration of Susan's Life on Friday, June 16th from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Biltwell Event Center, 950 South White River Parkway West Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46221. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served. Remarks will begin at 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Miami Foundation Family Fund with checks payable to Miami University Foundation, Murstein Alumni Center, 725 East Chestnut Street, Oxford, OH 45056 (http://www.givetomiamioh.org/Naus), or to a charity of the donor's choice.