Susan Honey (Hirsch) Wenger

December 17, 1943 – September 2, 2026

Susan Wenger passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, in Montgomery Village, Maryland. She was a brilliant educator, dedicated public servant, published author, competitive athlete, and deeply devoted family woman whose life was defined by intellect, service, and joy.

Susan was the beloved wife of the late Clarence Windom Wenger, Jr. (Dr. Win Wenger, PhD). She was the loving mother of Erika Mayo and Whimsy Johnson, and the proud grandmother of Randy Mayo, Daniel Johnson, and Sydney Johnson. Her ultimate pride came from empowering her husband, supporting his efforts to explore breakthrough concepts and develop his talents. She amplified his genius by enabling his creative mind and facilitated the sharing of his greatness and brilliance with the rest of the world.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Susan graduated from Lincoln High School in June 1960. She pursued her passion for higher learning at Brooklyn College, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy in June 1965. She went on to receive her Master of Arts in the same field from the City University of New York in June,1967 and expanded her horizons that same summer by attending the Universitetet i Oslo (Oslo, Norway). Susan achieved ABD (all but dissertation) status when she continued her doctoral studies at the University of Maryland from September 1967 to June 1968. Her academic excellence was recognized through the New York Scholar Incentive Award and a prestigious National Defense Education Act Fellowship at the University of Maryland. A lifelong intellectual, Susan had been a member of both Mensa since 1964, as well as Intertel.

Susan possessed a rare and versatile mind, which she shared through teaching. Early in her career, she taught Philosophy at Ocean City College and later English and Journalism at Easton High School in Easton, Maryland. She then transitioned to public service, dedicating over 25 years to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Throughout her distinguished tenure, she excelled in numerous capacities, including serving as a Program Analyst and a Contracting Officer. Demonstrating exceptional leadership skills, she also successfully completed the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Women’s Executive Leadership Program.

Passionate about problem-solving and human happiness, Susan was a longtime presenter for the Creative Education Foundation. Her 15+ years of high-quality workshops earned her the foundation's prestigious “Service & Commitment” award. Her teaching took her across the globe, sharing problem-solving techniques in the United States, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, and more. Locally, she brought joy to her community by teaching a personal happiness cultivation and intersocial uplifting workshop at Keese School under the Asbury Foundation. As an author, Susan published two scholastic papers, as well as three distinct books: The Port-Wine Sea, a clever parody of Patrick O’Brian’s historical fiction, Your Limitless Inventing Machine, co-authored alongside Win, and The Better Baby, a guidebook dedicated to helping parents raise brighter, happier, and healthier children.​

Susan was an avid, lifelong table tennis competitor. In her youth, she competed in the U.S. Table Tennis Association Junior National Championship in 1961. Decades later, her sharp skills were on display at the 2016 Maryland Senior Olympics, where she took home first place in mixed doubles, first place in women’s doubles, and third place in women’s singles. Beyond her academic and athletic pursuits, Susan was a lifelong, passionate enthusiast of all things Disney. One of her absolute proudest life moments was being named the honorary Grand Marshal of the Walt Disney World Main Street Parade—a magical memory that perfectly captured her vibrant, joyful spirit.

Susan believed firmly in giving back to her community and intellectual circles. For approximately 5 years, she served as the Mensa Scholarship Program Chairman for the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. area and additionally served as a reader for the U.S. Mensa Scholarship Program. In Montgomery Village, she dedicated her time to her children’s and neighborhood’s education by serving on the Stedwick Elementary School PTA and the North Village Homeowners Board. During her past 10+ years as a resident at the Asbury Retirement Community, Susan remained deeply involved in civic life. She served as the Chairman of the CCAV, and lent her leadership skills as the CCAV Assistant Treasurer and as the Dining PAC Chairman.

A private service will be held for immediate family, where she will be laid to rest alongside Win.