Susanne Wagner, a social worker who for more than 35 years helped families of children with special needs at the Hagedorn Little Village School in Seaford, died of breast cancer on July 16 at East End Hospice in Westhampton Beach. The part-time East Hampton resident was 82 and had been ill for seven years.
Ms. Wagner earned a bachelor’s degree from C.W. Post College in Brookville. When she was in her 40s, after her marriage to Jay Lassner and bringing up their two children, she returned to school at Adelphi University in Garden City, where she earned a master’s degree in social work. Her marriage to Mr. Lassner, who survives, ended in divorce.
In addition to her employment at the Little Village School, she was active in fund-raising for the Maryhaven Center of Hope in Port Jefferson Station, which is also devoted to people with special needs.
She married David Wagner in 1985 and was instrumental in helping him establish Harbor House in Oyster Bay, the first care facility on Long Island devoted entirely to Alzheimer’s disease. “Sue was a loving wife, grandmother, aunt, and sister,” her family said. “She put everyone else in her thoughts and deeds above herself.” The Wagners spent summers in East Hampton and New York City and winters in Jupiter, Fla.
Ms. Wagner was born in Brooklyn on Dec. 12, 1937, to Emanuel and Fanny Remer.
In addition to Mr. Wagner, she is survived by her children, Kenneth Lassner of Manhattan and Elyse Lassner of Manorville, a sister, Phoebe Larsen of Delray Beach, Fla., and a brother, Jerome Remer, who lives in Jupiter. A stepdaughter, Heather Bogen, and four step-grandchildren also survive. Burial took place on July 19 at Beth Moses Cemetery in West Babylon.
The family has suggested memorial contributions to Maryhaven Center of Hope, 51 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station 11776, the Hagedorn Little Village School, 750 Hicksville Road, Seaford 11783, or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation at komen.org.
