Jean Packard's great life of contribution

I was extremely honored to have had Jean Packard as a friend and mentor for over 20 years. Her reputation as a civic and environmental leader was towering. But in person she was always kind, and unassuming. While she had strong opinions and fought for what she thought was right, she never said anything bad about those that did not agree with her. She was really a remarkable person. She served on the Board of the NOVA Parks for 24 years, and gave of her time and leadership to many other good groups. She will be missed.

On October 21, 2014, Jean R. Packard passed away in her home in Fairfax at age 91.  Mrs. Packard was the first woman to be elected Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors from 1972 – 1976.  During her term as Chairman, she led the effort to down-zone the Occoquan Watershed resulting in the protection of the Occoquan Reservoir, which today is the drinking water source for over one million people.

Packard served as a civic leader on many boards and commissions including: President of the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Associations, on the National Board for the Sierra Club, on the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board, Chairman of the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust Board, and 24 years on the NOVA Parks (Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority) Board. 

On September 27, 2014, NOVA Parks broke ground on a new building at Occoquan Regional Park that will be called the ‘Jean R Packard Occoquan Center.’  Mrs. Packard was present for this celebration.  At that event, Congressman Gerry Connolly, Chairman Sharon Bulova and many others spoke about the tremendous contributions Jean Packard has made to our community.  Congressman Connolly noted the tremendous impact that Mrs. Packard has had as a tireless civic advocate for the environment.

Sharon Bulova, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors said yesterday, “Jean was a true trailblazer for women leaders in Fairfax County.  She was a forward-thinking, passionate steward of the County’s parks and water and natural resources, and will be sincerely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.”

Some of Mrs. Packard’s colleagues on the NOVA Parks Board reflected on Jean with the following comments:

Brian Knapp, Chairman of NOVA Parks, from the City of Fairfax:
“For over twenty years, Jean served faithfully as a Director on the NOVA Parks Board, and she contributed to so many of our successes related to conservation and land preservation and protection of our environment here in Northern Virginia.  Her service and dedication to NOVA Parks will forever be treasured and remembered.”

Stella Koch, Vice Chairman of NOVA Parks, from Fairfax County:
“Jean has left an amazing legacy in Fairfax County, from her part in founding Nova Parks to her leadership as Chairman of the Board in Fairfax to her long standing involvement with the citizens associations throughout the County.  She will be remembered every day by the legacy that remains behind.”  

Laura Grape, NVRPA Board Member, from Fairfax County:
“Jean will always be remembered for embedding an environmental ethic into the story of Northern Virginia that will continue to enrich the region long into the future.”

Dan Kaseman, NOVA Parks Board Member, from Loudoun County:
“Jean taught me that the secret to a full and satisfying life is what we do for others.”

Paul Ferguson, NOVA Parks Board Member, from Arlington County:
“Jean Packard was one of our region’s great environmental leaders.  She will be remembered as a local government leader who was ahead of her time.  Jean will be missed but has provided an example that local leaders will continue to follow.”

Barry Buschow, NOVA Parks Board Member, from City of Falls Church:
“Many of us will never truly understand the extent or the impact Jean had on the quality of life in Northern Virginia.  From political to plain old elbow grease, Jean did it all to preserve and enrich our environment.  She will be missed but never forgotten.”

Paul Gilbert, NOVA Parks Executive Director:
“Jean was a mentor and friend to me and many others.  Her legacy is one of conservation of nature, as well as demonstrating political and civic engagement that was always civil and respectful.  All those who knew her were better because of that experience.”

Some of Jean Packard’s many awards and civic engagements include:

o    Metro Washington Council of Governments, Chairman

o    Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, Board Member

o    Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, Board Member

o    Sierra Club, National Board

o    Fairfax League of Women Voters, Board Member

o    Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, Chairman and Board Member

o    Fairfax County Community Appearance Alliance, Board Member

o    Fairfax County Citizen of the Year, Winner

o    Fairfax County Conservationist of the Year, Winner

o    Architecture Medal for Virginia Service, Winner

o    Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award, Winner

o    NVCT Lifetime Achievement Award, Winner

Mrs. Packard will be remembered at an event on Thursday, November 6, 2014, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Atrium at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna. The event is open to the public. The Atrium is located at 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna Virginia