Susan & Howard Whetzel's Obituary
Susan (Bieranowski) Whetzel and Howard Whetzel, Jr., a devoted couple who shared 45 years of marriage, are being lovingly remembered together with a joint service to celebrate their lives on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Susan passed away on March 31, 2020, at the age of 67, and Howard followed on October 6, 2024, just two days shy of his 71st birthday. Their service will be held at the Jefferson Memorial Mausoleum Chapel, with interment to follow at the Thomas Jefferson Garden Mausoleum.
Susan was born on October 3, 1952, in South Bend, Indiana, to Leonard and Theresa (Fusaro) Bieranowski. Her first home was “Vetville,” the beloved site of married student housing for veterans at the University of Notre Dame, where her father earned his PhD under the GI Bill following his service in World War II. After living a few years in Spokane and Seattle, WA, the Bieranowskis settled in Pittsburgh, PA, where Susan spent most of her childhood and would meet her future husband, Howard, while attending St. Elizabeth of Hungary High School. After marrying Howard and moving to Maryland in 1975, Susan earned an Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education from Anne Arundel Community College. Susan dedicated much of her life to nurturing others—homeschooling her four children during their formative years before working in childcare at several daycare centers and as a Nanny for the McGinley family, where she lovingly cared for James and Thomas and became close with their mother, Glee.
Howard was born on October 8, 1953, in Pittsburgh, PA, to Howard Whetzel, Sr. and Dorothy (Meyer) Whetzel while his father was deployed in Korea during the Korean War. He also attended St. Elizabeth of Hungary High School before pursuing higher education at Duquesne University and Anne Arundel Community College, where he earned an Associate’s Degree in Oceanography. Howard built a successful career as a Technical Writer for Gould and its successors: Martin Marietta, Lockheed Martin, and GE’s Middle River Aircraft Systems, where he worked from 1984 until his retirement. His favorite job, of which he was most proud and where he made lifelong friendships, was with the US Army Corps of Engineers as manager of the Chesapeake Bay Model on Kent Island on the Eastern Shore of MD in the late 1970s. It was here that he made two wonderful friends, Dale Howell and Candace Cederman, whom he would treasure and stay in touch with for the rest of his life. Howard took immense pride in his work and treasured the friendships he cultivated throughout his professional journey.
Together, Susan and Howard created a loving home in Glen Burnie, MD, where they raised their four children: Ben (Amanda), Seth (Lindsey), Nick (Kamila), and Molly (Zach). They found great joy in their roles as grandparents to Callen, Bode, Drew, Leo, Clara, and Sean.
Susan found happiness in reading, knitting, practicing yoga, learning French and Italian, listening to music, volunteering as a tutor, training for and participating in charity 5k events and most of all, spending time with family, including her three cherished siblings: older sister, Linda, and younger brothers, David (d. 2015) and Mark.
Howard had a love for performing and listening to music, from his high school years of playing in a band with his best friend, John Grefenstette, to decades of singing in the adult choir at St. Philip Neri Church in Linthicum, MD. He also enjoyed strategy board games, camping, canoeing, cooking, and was an enthusiastic supporter of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Orioles. Howard was preceded in death by his brother, David (d. 1994), and is survived by his two loving sisters, Margaret (Maggie) and Mary Elizabeth (Boo).
Their lives were defined by their love for one another and their family. May their memory bring comfort to those who hold them dear. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests honoring Susan and Howard through the following ways:
● Donate blood or make a monetary donation to the Red Cross
● Support the work of the Tell Every Amazing Lady (T.E.A.L.) About Ovarian Cancer Louisa M. McGregor Ovarian Cancer Foundation
● Support the work of the American Diabetes Association
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