Susan Jane Moran

Susan Jane Moran, recently of Fenton, MI, but born in Geneva, NY, and a resident of Vernon, CT for most of her adult life, passed from this world on January 21,2025, after 73 years of adventure followed by a brief illness. She is survived by her brother, Thomas J. (Carilee) Moran of Fenton, MI; her niece, Dr. Amy Moran (Ryan) Wachowiak as well as grandnephews Elliott and Connor Wachowiak of Grafton, WI; and former husband John Juliano, of Tolland, CT. Sue was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Harry F. Moran, Jr. and Helen (Ferris) Moran; and her uncles and aunts Fred and Virginia (Eastby) Ferris; Jane (Ferris) and Bill Gallipeau of Seneca Castle, NY; Joanne (Moran) Vandemortel Venturino of Geneva, NY; and Tom Moran and wife Joan (Dixon) of Turnerville, NJ.

Like many of the kids in Geneva, Sue attended DeSales Catholic School. After graduating from high school, she attended a well-respected local college, Hobart & William Smith College in Geneva, NY. She earned a BS in Biology. 

However, her business instincts took her into a varied career in insurance sales, management, and strategy. She was employed by several major insurance firms as well as trying her hand at her own private management consulting firm for a few years. She retired from Hartford Financial Services Group as a successful manager for the Connecticut regional sales team.

Nevertheless, Sue’s interest in biology was not a passing fancy. She grew up collecting fossils and hiking around the Finger Lakes, in Geneva, NY, which ignited a lifelong interest in nature, birding, and conservation. She traveled to far-flung parts of the world, many times with her mother, Helen. These trips encompassed every part of the USA, Peru, Ecuador, and Argentina, as well as a visit to Ireland to pursue the passion for genealogy that she shared with her mom. 

Sue cared about all life, and adopted several rescued Belgian Malinois, including TD (The Dog) Mike and a dog named Zeke. Although this breed is often considered a challenge to own, Sue’s consistent commitment to exploring and hiking ensured that she and her Malinois shared the same view of exercise: get lots - and this made the Malinois just the right companion for her.

Although she had no children of her own, Sue took good care of her own mother as she neared the end of life, and was a kind aunt with many friends in her neighborhood who will miss her sorely.

A memorial visitation for Sue will take place 10 AM - 12 PM Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Ladd-Turkington and Carmon Funeral Homes, 551 Talcottville Road, (Route 83), Vernon, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Sue’s memory can donate to one of the organizations that she supported herself, including the American Belgian Malinois Rescue, her alma mater, Hobart & William Smith College, or one of the environmental groups whose forward-looking missions she believed in: the Sierra, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, or the National Wildlife. 

Arrangements are being handled by Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.