Joanne S. Parrott, a former state delegate and Harford County Council President, died in her home Wednesday at the age of 68.
The cause of death remains unknown. All Harford County flags will be flown at half staff until after her funeral.
From Harford County government:
It is with much sadness that County Executive David R. Craig announces the untimely passing of former Delegate and County Council member and President Joanne S. Parrott. Delegate Parrott was found deceased in her home yesterday. The cause of death is unknown.
In honor and memory of Delegate Parrott’s distinguished service to the citizens of Harford County and the State of Maryland, the County Executive has ordered all Harford County flags flown at half staff immediately and continue as such until sunset on the day of Delegate Parrott’s funeral.
Details regarding Delegate Parrott’s funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.
The prayers of County Executive Craig and all Harford County Government employees are with the Parrott family at this very difficult time.
Thank you,
Roxanne Lynch
Harford County
Office of Government and Community Relations
Here is Del. Parrott’s official state biography:
JOANNE S. PARROTT
Republican, District 35A, Harford County
Member of House of Delegates, January 13, 1999 to January 10, 2007.
Member, Commerce and Government Matters Committee, 1999-2003 (state government & procurement subcommittee, 1999-2003); Economic Matters Committee, 2003-07 (alcoholic beverages work group, 2003-07; business regulation subcommittee, 2003-07; property & casualty insurance subcommittee, 2003-07). Member, Women Legislators of Maryland, 1999-2007; Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, 2001-07; Maryland Rural Caucus, 2002-07; Taxpayers Protection Caucus, 2003-07.
Member, County Council, Harford County, 1986-98 (vice-president, 1991; president, 1994-98); Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Advisory Board, 1988-90. Chair, Child Sex-Abuse Treatment Center Task Force, 1988-96. Board of Library Trustees, Harford County, 1989-93. Board member, Community Action Agency, Harford County, 1989-. Board of Estimates, Harford County, 1994-98. Member, Commission on Disabilities, Harford County, 1996-98; Action Team to Fight Underage Drug Use, Harford County, 1997-98; Strategic Planning Committee, Public Schools, Harford County, 1998. Member, Cumulative Impact Workgroup, Department of Natural Resources, 1994; Task Force on Education Funding Equity, Accountability, and Partnerships, 1997-98. Advisory Board, Institute for Governmental Service, 2000-.
Born in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, September 11, 1940. Attended Gettysburg College; Peabody Conservatory of Music. Career in advertising, 1961-73. Member, Maryland Association of Counties, 1986-98 (board of directors, 1991-98; secretary, 1995; executive board, 1995-98; 2nd vice-president, 1996; lst vice-president, 1997; president, 1998). Community Services Board, United Way of Central Maryland, 1987-91. Alternate delegate, Republican Party National Convention, 1992. Member, Maryland Republican Party; Harford County Republican Women; Second District Republican Club. Founder and President of Board, The Highlands School, Inc., 1996- (private school, grades 3-8, for children with learning differences & disabilities). Outstanding Woman of the Year, Women’s Club of Greater Fallston, 1984. Virginia Scotten Award, Harford County Republican Central Committee, 1987. Honorary Chair, March of Dimes – Walk America, 1996-98. Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Daily Record, 2003. Widow; two children.
Delegate Parrott could always entertain a room, and loved public life. She was great with constituent service and loved getting things done to help people.
I’m not an exceptionally amorous person in public, but it was always hard to turn down a hug or one of Del. Parrott’s patented cheek kisses.
She’d been out of the public light for awhile since losing her seat during the 2006 election, but Del. Parrott was at one time among the strongest politicians in Harford County – man or woman.
Del. Parrott was always a fan favorite during local parades with her human-sized, stuffed parrot riding beside her.
This is truely a sad day in Harford County. She was such a wonderful person. always had time for you and worked very hard for her constituents. Joanne will surely be missed.
I served with JoAnne for sixteen years. I agree with Brian. She loved to make me turn red at local fire banquets by making me give her a kiss on the lips..She had a flare for the dramatic but worked hard for her constituents on both the Council and in the House. She was a great supporter of MD 4H, libraries and local fire companies and young people with special learning needs as a co-founder of the Highlands School. She rarely missed an eagle scout court of honor. She also lead the County through a master plan revision and re-zoning in 1996/97 and was pretty much an expert on local planning and zoning issues. As the first Republican woman to be elected Council President she should be recorded as one of the most notable women political leaders in Harford County’s recent history. Although she was raised in rural Lancaster County, Harford County was always first in her heart.
I announced her passing from the floor of the House this morning. It got very quiet. To say that she has a lot of friends in Annapolis would be an understatement. My nephew worked one year as her legislative aide and he enjoyed every minute of it. She was a character and she could be a handful. She will be missed.
My favorite Joanne Parrott story:- It was some big BRAC hearing at Goucher College (Joe Biden was there, along with Mikulski and others), and I came rushing in through a side door, out of the pouring, freezing rain, and there’s Joanne, getting her coat off. It was early on a Friday morning, and she hit me with one of those kisses on the cheek before I knew what the hell was happening. Then she laughed at me. Her and Barry’s “act” at the fire banquets should go down as a great bit of Harford County politics.
I will miss her. I will miss her singing “Danny Boy” when ever we met. I enjoyed her friendship and working side by side with her for 4 years in the House of Delegates. I especially thank her for stepping in between myself and another delegate as she said “he is not worth it, your a better man than he will ever be”.
In the past couple of years Joanne was very happy and content. Again, I will miss her as will all of Harford County. Rest in peace.
Heard that Joanne’s body was inthe house, undiscovered for over a week…that’s a sad state of affairs in anyone’s book, especially those of us who live alone, as she aparently did…
nonetheless, she is gone, she was a fun loving lady who had more energy than fifty women…
adieu Joanne…
County employess got this update: Funeral arrangements for Delegate Joanne S. Parrott are as follows:
Viewing/Family Visitation – Thursday, March 12, 2009 – 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fallston Volunteer Fire Company
2201 Carrs Mill Road
Fallston, Maryland
Viewing/Family Visitation – Friday, March 13, 2009 – 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fallston Volunteer Fire Company
2201 Carrs Mill Road
Fallston, Maryland
Memorial Service – Saturday, March 14, 2009 (time and location to be determined)
The Memorial Service will be at 10:00 a.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church.
Delegate Parrott was a great friend of the Maryland State Police when she served in Annapolis. As a retired Commander of the Maryland State Police Bel Air Barrack, I know how important public safety was to JoAnne. I always enjoyed her company and will never forget her service to the citizens of Harford County and the State of Maryland.
Joanne kept Harford County politics interesting and exciting. I was a member of a Volunteer fire company in Northern Harford County and can attest to here devotion and commitment to all of the citizens of Harford County. She fought hard for all citizens of Harford County and the state of Maryland. A lot can be learned from people of here caliber, unfortunately they are a rare breed in politics these days. Rest in peace
Joanne had a major impact on my life. Working as her intern, she introduced me to many interesting and important people. I’ll remember her for the lessons she taught me and the time she spent teaching me. For years after I would call her to wish her happy birthday, 9/11, one of the most simple birthdays to remember. She was so lively and energetic, and I was always very happy to see here.I was trying to get back in contact with her, and found out only just now what that she’s dead. It really sucks that I won’t get to see her again, none of us will.