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302-478-7100 Wilmington & Hockessin, DE

Douglas Allen Wenny

Douglas Allen Wenny, 89, passed away peacefully on Aug 13, 2026, at Kendal at Longwood in Kennett Square, PA. He will be sorely missed by all those who knew him.

Born in 1937, in West Orange, NJ, Doug lived a life dedicated to gentle kindness, thoughtfulness, and helping those around him. He graduated from West Orange HS, Oberlin College and then UCLA with a MA in French. He spent more than 31 years teaching French, first at Oakwood School in Poughkeepsie, NY and then Wilmington Friends School in Wilmington, DE.  In retirement he spent time as a bank teller with WSFS and at TCBY where he demonstrated a hidden talent for decorating cakes. In addition, he volunteered at the Winterthur Museum, Delaware Nature Society, Delaware Historical Society and as an ESL mentor through the Kennett Square Library. A longtime Quaker, he was a member of Birmingham Friends Meeting.

Doug was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He found great joy in spending time with his family, researching genealogy, birding, gardening and collecting stamps. He particularly relished summers spent in Hillsboro, NH at the family rustic cabin as well as camping on the nearby hill owned by the family. His warmth and generosity touched many lives and will not be soon forgotten.

Doug is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Betsy Baker Wenny; his children, Karen Doerrler (Bill), Dan Wenny (Wendy), Barbara Evanko (Mike), and Brian Wenny (Claire); his grandchildren Malia, Jack, Linda, Kate, Molly, Andrew and Erica; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel H and Beverly Rice Wenny, brother David and sister Carole.

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Funeral Services

A memorial service will take place on Sunday, October 25, at 2:00 p.m. in Kennett Square, PA at Kendal at Longwood, 1109 E Baltimore Pike (US Route 1). In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Delaware Historical Society’s Research Library and the Delaware Ornithological Society.

Condolences

    John DeCherney writes,
    Doug Wenny was one of my high school French teachers and I fondly remember him as a kind and gracious man. He was patient and understand to a room full of teens and pre teens who probably should returned the behavior. He will be missed. Alev shalom.
    08/18/2026 03:46 pm
    Tracey Quillen writes,
    Many fond memories of Monsieur Wenny - and family, including my childhood friend Karen. Condolences to you all, with thanks for a long life of gentle kindness indeed. Take care. Holding you in the Light, Tracey Quillen
    08/18/2026 10:49 pm
    Laura Pardee writes,
    Doug was the quintessential Quaker gentleman. I taught French with him at Wilmington Friends in the late 70’s. He was devoted to the students, as well as to the school community.
    08/19/2026 08:25 am
    June zappa writes,
    Dear Betsy and family, It was a pleasure to work with Doug as a Friend of Rockwood…even though I begged him to stay as treasurer long after it was time to pass that job on to someone else. He was the best in every way and I loved hearing how the blueberry pickings were in NH each year. Our sincere condolences …. He will be missed. Fondly, Rick and June Zappa
    08/19/2026 09:14 am
    Susan Kirk Ryan writes,
    Doug also served as President of the Delaware Genealogical Society and continued to contribute his knowledge and skills to the genealogy community. He will be missed.
    08/19/2026 10:48 am
    Loretta Hildenbrand writes,
    Dear Betsy, my deepest condolences to you and family, so sorry for your loss. Such a great neighbor for many years. Special thoughts to all. Loretta
    08/19/2026 12:01 pm
    David H Cress writes,
    I, too, took french classes under Doug Wenny at Wilmington Friends. He was a dedicated and perfect gentleman. I send my condolences to the family.
    08/19/2026 04:58 pm
    Anita L Sterling writes,
    So sorry to learn of Doug's passing. I remember volunteering with Doug and Betsy at Stockings for Soldiers. Doug and I always compared our end of night stocking stuffing totals.
    08/19/2026 07:46 pm
    Judy Travis writes,
    Dear Betsy, I am wishing you and your family our deepest condolences on the passing of Doug. It was such a pleasure to know you both for such a long time in Chatham and to work with you both at Stockings For Soldiers for so many years. Wishing you comfort at this very difficult time.
    08/20/2026 09:56 am
    Carol writes,
    Betsy, I was so sorry to read of your loss. Please accept my deepest condolences. Carol Williamson, NMI
    08/20/2026 04:02 pm
    Judy Filipkowski writes,
    I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Doug. The years at Rockwood with Betsy and Doug were a lot of fun my sincere condolences from Frank and for me.
    08/23/2026 11:17 am
    Ann Thomas writes,
    Sending sympathy to you, Betsy, in the loss of your husband. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. I remember you from your many years of volunteer service with the Girl Scouts.
    08/23/2026 02:35 pm
    Mary Woodbury Young writes,
    Dear Betsy and family, Seeing Doug's name in the newspaper brought back many fond memories of our times together at Alapocas Meeting in the 1970's when our children were very young. I did not get to know Doug well, but your guidance as a nursing mother leader was invaluable as I raised Hannah and Rebecca. Mary Woodbury Young
    08/23/2026 07:12 pm
    Mary Jane Mallonee writes,
    I have always enjoyed greeting Doug and Betsy at various worthwhile events, and I was always glad to work with them in Friends of Rockwood activities. Doug was welcomed and appreciated by every group he joined. He will be missed.
    08/24/2026 02:02 pm
    Janice Crawford writes,
    I'm so sorry to hear of Doug's passing. As the Volunteer Coordinator at Winterthur, I came to know him in in his capacity as a wonderful volunteer. Doug was a kind, and thoughtful person, filled with good humor. He will be missed!
    08/26/2026 08:49 am
    Kirk Read writes,
    Doug was my friend and mentor at Wilmington Friends School, my first teaching job in 1981. Beyond teaching me how to create a lesson plan, he taught me the joy and power of kindness. I have sought to remember that through my 40 years of teaching since. With love and gratitude for his gentle way in the world.
    08/27/2026 06:52 am
    Jamieson Wilson writes,
    Thoughts & Prayers for the entire Wenny Family 🙏🏻 I was lucky enough to have enjoyed Doug's SUN TEA and hear his musings on a variety of things during the 1980's when my own family shared a fence with the Wenny's. i also worked for Pat & Marty Clark at TCBY (Pike Creek) and without a doubt know the Love put into decorating all kinds of desserts (often with little reward). Doug was quite a Chef and connoisseur. His cheery disposition during the holiday season was always infectious. It's not adequate to say just a few paragraphs upon the passing of someone so beloved but i'd like to state that a real testament to Doug's time here on Earth is that Betsy and all of his children are wonderful ambassadors of the kindness and generosity he embodied. In this way, he lives forever ❤️
    08/27/2026 09:26 pm

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