Kay V Wise

Kay Susan Van Derwerker Wise, 85, passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2025, in Silver Spring, Maryland, from complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Born on February 22, 1940, in Saratoga Springs, New York, Kay was the daughter of Efnor and Evelyn VanDerwerker. From an early age, she displayed a love of music, singing and playing the piano and accordion. She often performed with her younger sister, Karen, at community events.

Kay earned her degree in Music Education from the State University of New York Potsdam. On May 18, 1961, she married Donald Jacob Wise and together they made their home in Maryland. She began her career as a music teacher before taking time to raise her two children, Melissa and Darren. Later, she returned to teaching in both Howard County and Frederick County, where she was known for her devotion to her students. Her influence extended far beyond the classroom, with many former students remaining in touch for years.

Beyond her professional life, Kay’s talents and generosity touched everyone around her. She found joy in cooking, baking, gardening, needlepoint, and knitting. She often shared her homemade treats or fresh flowers with friends and neighbors. In her later years, she continued to share her love of music by volunteering at her grandchildren’s schools and with dementia patients at Riderwood Retirement Community, where she lived.

Kay is survived by her children, Melissa Fleck and her husband John, Darren Wise and his wife Nicole; her beloved grandchildren, Emma Fleck, Kate Fleck, Amelia Wise, and Harrison Wise; her sister, Karen Stevens; and many extended family members and dear friends.

A celebration of Kay’s life will be held at a later date at Riderwood Senior Living Community. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org.

Her melody will live on in the hearts she touched.

A service to celebrate Kay's life will be set sometime for 2026, thank you.