Susan Lee Tang

Mrs. Susan Lee Tang passed away peacefully at INOVA Alexandria Hospital on the evening of Sunday, May 25, 2025, at the age of 90.
Born on February 17, 1935, in Peking, China, to Professor Ching-hu Lee and Tsui-shih Lee, Susan was a lifelong scholar, educator, and devoted mentor. She earned her B.A. in English from Taiwan Normal University in 1958 and came to the United States in 1960 to pursue graduate studies at the University of Washington, Seattle. Just one day after arriving, she met her future husband, Dr. Victor Kuang-Tao Tang They married in 1963 and enjoyed 57 years of loving partnership until Victor's passing in 2020.
Susan's professional journey was as classy as it was impactful. From teaching at the Mandarin Training Center in Taipei and working at the American Embassy in Taiwan, to serving as a cornerstone of Chinese language instruction and East Asian library services at Yale University, Indiana University, and the University of Wisconsin, Susan was a quiet pioneer. Later, she continued her teaching and mentorship at Humboldt State University and the College of the Redwoods, where she guided generations of students with care and wisdom.
In 1984, Susan began a new chapter at the Library of Congress, where she served as a Senior Acquisitions Assistant in the
Chinese Acquisitions Section. Her work was foundational. In 2000, when the Library transitioned from Wade-Giles to Pinyin romanization, Susan created the Library's very first Pinyin catalog record-a pivotal contribution that aligned U.S. bibliographic standards with international practice.
A brilliant and independent copy cataloger, Susan was widely known for her precision and intellect. She was the go-to person for high-priority materials and produced the most accurate transcriptions and romanizations of original Chinese texts, often without the need for any further review. Her command of cataloging principles was exceptional, and her quiet leadership extended to training colleagues in acquisitions procedures, from invoice updates to approval plan fund management.
Behind the scenes, Susan was the heart of her team-a steady presence, a generous mentor, and a true memory-keeper. Her influence lives on in the thousands of volumes she touched, the systems she helped shape, and the colleagues and friends she uplifted.
As we mourn her passing, we honor a life defined by grace, intellect, and devotion. Susan's legacy endures in the knowledge she safeguarded and the community she helped build. Her memory will always be a blessing.
Memorial Gathering
We will gather together on Sunday morning, June 15, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home (9902 Braddock Road Fairfax, VA 22032) remember our wonderful friend who will be greatly missed.
Please bring your fondest memories of Susan to share with colleagues and friends.