Susan Wirths

1934 - 2024

Susan Barbara Peters Roetzel WIRTHS, of Frederick, died on June 6, 2024 at the age of 89. She was born on September 2, 1934, the fourth child and second daughter to John B Peters and Mary E Koller Peters, of York Springs, PA, and grew up surrounded by six siblings and extended family, orchards, and the formative work of farm life. As a young child she walked to a one-room schoolhouse. She attended Carlisle High School where she enjoyed playing softball and cello in All-State Orchestra. After graduating in the spring of 1952 she matriculated at Hood College, Frederick, where she majored in biology. After graduation in 1956, she married Thomas G. Roetzel with whom she had three children. The family initially lived in Frederick but made their long-term home in Braddock Heights where Susan was active in numerous committees at the Church of the Transfiguration. There, she was an early member and she served on the Vestry, Altar Guild and Flowers services, Regional Council, Stephen's Ministry, United Thank Offering, Choir, and various outreach actions. In the early 1960s she returned to Hood College to earn a teaching degree; from the mid-1960s until her retirement in May, 1990 she taught Kindergarten, First or Second Grade at Parkway, Wolfsville, Yellow Springs, Libertytown, St. Johns, and Middletown elementary schools. During her teaching career she again returned to Hood College to earn a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education in 1979. Susan was active in alumnae outreach and activities and the College gave her an alumnae award for her service. Susan operated a small antique business in Adamstown, where she specialized in antique linens. She was widowed in February, 2000 when husband Thomas Roetzel died. In 2001 she married Theodore (Ted) Wirths of Braddock Heights and the couple moved to Homewood, in Frederick, in November 2001. After Ted's death in 2003 Susan continued her active life at the Church of the Transfiguration and added a new focus - volunteering in the Office of the Registrar at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History - to her routine. She volunteered there for 11 years and her contributions of Dove chocolates "for good behavior", speedy and accurate work, and good cheer were greatly appreciated by all who encountered her. She also knitted hats for premature babies born at the Frederick hospital, served as Chair of the Environmental Committee at Homewood and in alumna groups at Hood College. Susan enjoyed gardening, crossword puzzles, newspaper comics, travel in the US and abroad, sewing and crafts, and her extended family. She taught them to value hard work and contributions to others. She is survived by children Ann R Hess, Peter J Roetzel, and Carol R Butler and their spouses Stephen Hess, Galina Roetzel and Robert Butler, respectively, step sons William (Billy) Wirths and David Wirths, a brother William Peters, step grandchildren Daniel Hess, Jacob Hess and Kristina Semesjuks, and a host of extended family. The memorial service will be on June 29 at 10:30 at the Church of the Transfiguration in Braddock Heights. Inurnment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery will be private, at a later date. Susan Wirths