Suzanne Johnson Schlenger, a former president of the Baltimore County League of Women Voters, died of heart failure March 31 at Broadmead Retirement Community. The former Timonium-Fox Chapel resident was 87.

Born in Bronxville, N.Y, she was the daughter of W. Ogden Johnson, an engineer, and his wife, Agnes. She was a graduate of Bronxville High School and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa.

As a young woman she was a Girl Scouts camp counselor in the Harlan, Ky., coal district, and was later a Lutherville troop leader and a Baltimore County district director for the organization. After moving to Washington in the 1950s, she was a Department of Defense worker and American Red Cross employee.

In 1955 she moved to Baltimore with her husband, Jacques T. Schlenger, managing partner of the Venable law firm.

She joined the Baltimore County League of Women’s Voters and twice served as its president. She was an election poll watcher and held positions in the state league.

Mrs. Schlenger was also active with the Citizens Planning and Housing Association and worked for its urban renewal efforts.

She volunteered with the Orton Society and worked with preschool children to identify learning difficulties. She was also a board member of the Maryland Committee for Children. She was a founding member of the Panel of American Women.

She was a member of the Baltimore Bibliophiles and a board member of the Friends of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Library and of the Johns Hopkins University Friends of the Library Board. She collected the works of novelist Willa Cather.

“My mother is remembered most for her quick wit, strong personality, keen intellect and her passion for fairness and equality,” said her daughter, Martha J. Schlenger of Sante Fe, N.M.

A memorial service will be held June 17 at Broadmead Retirement Community, 13801 York Road in Cockeysville. A time has not been set.

In addition to her daughter, survivors include two other daughters, Lynda S. Winter of Woodland Hills, Calif., and Kirsten Schlenger of San Francisco; a sister, Lucile J. Holliday of Hingham, Mass.; and four grandchildren. Her husband of nearly 49 years died in 2000.

—Jacques Kelly