Susan Lela Haught

In Loving Memory of Susan Lela Haught

August 5, 1954 – February 19, 2026

Susan Lela Haught, a woman of formidable intellect, boundless curiosity, and enduring warmth, passed away on February 19, 2026, after a brief stay at Sibley’s Renaissance Center in Washington, D.C. Her passing followed a courageous three-year battle with cancer, fought with the same tenacity and grace that defined her entire life.

Born in England yet a Washingtonian since early childhood, Susan’s roots ran deep in the District throughout her life. She was a graduate of John F Kennedy High School, earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and a Master of Business Administration from Tulane University. These academic foundations launched a diverse and successful career. Susan was a truly modern Renaissance woman—a strong, astute, and entrepreneurial spirit whose professional journey spanned finance, screenwriting, real estate, and interior design. Her early career took her across the nation, from California to Texas and then to her beloved New York City, before eventually calling her back home to Washington, D.C where she launched Haught Designs.

Beyond her professional achievements, Susan was defined by her passions. She was a voracious reader, an accomplished golfer who found joy and challenge on the links, and a world traveler who viewed the globe as a classroom. from Nigeria to Russia and many European and US points in between with friends and family.

Yet, for Susan, the ultimate reason for living was the people she held dear. She was a pillar of strength and a devoted mentor, showing her love through deep caring and the intentional cultivation of her community. She is survived by her mother Elizabeth, brother Ralph, and treasured niece Reade, as well as a vast, enduring circle of friends in D.C. and around the globe.

We are profoundly grateful to have been touched by Susan’s strength, her sharp humor, and her capacity for joy. She will be dearly missed, but her legacy lives on in the many lives she connected, and through the fierce love she gave to all.

A private internment was held by the family. In lieu of flowers, to honor the importance of reading in Susan’s life, please consider a donation to the Dollywood Foundation’s Imagination Library