'Leader, Public Servant, And Compassionate Resident' Pat O'Neill Dead At 71

BETHESDA, MD — Bethesda resident and long-time Montgomery County school board member Pat O'Neill has died. She was 71.

O'Neill was elected to the Board of Education in 1998, and was serving her sixth four-year term, making her the longest-serving member in history, according to the district.

"Mrs. O’Neill served on the Board for more than twenty years and the loss of her wisdom, passion and commitment will be felt in the Montgomery County community for a long time," a statement from the Board of Education says. "We are deeply saddened by Mrs. O’Neill’s passing and offer our deepest condolences to the O’Neill family."

O'Neill was a graduate of Walter Johnson High School and attended Southern Methodist University. She is survived by her husband, Rick; her two children, Jenny and Melissa, who are also graduates of Montgomery County Public Schools; a sister; and two grandchildren.

"We are saddened to learn about the passing of Montgomery County Board of Education member Patricia O’Neill," said County Executive Marc Elrich in a news release. "Her love of our children was only matched by her commitment to the constituents she served for nearly a quarter of a century."

Her cause of death has not been named.

Bethesda Beat first reported on the death of O'Neill and spoke to several people who knew and worked with O'Neill, including Jennifer Martin, president of the Montgomery County's teachers union.

“Pat was a true lion of public education,” Martin told Bethesda Beat. “She was a historian … and devoted her life to making sure children got the right start in life.”

O'Neill was the chairperson of the Board of Education's Policy Management Committee and was a member of the Fiscal Management Committee. She also served as vice chair of the Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation. O'Neill was named as one of the 100 Most Powerful Women by the Washingtonian in 2015.

“Pat had years of institutional knowledge and a deep commitment to Montgomery County Public Schools,” said Board of Education President Brenda Wolff in a statement. “We have lost an impassioned advocate for children, students and our community. Mrs. O’Neill leaves a legacy of educational excellence that will guide our work for years to come.”

Other members of the Montgomery County Schools community shared their sadness over the loss of a colleague, friend, and tireless school advocate.

"Pat O'Neill was a fierce champion for staff, students and families and the impact of her work will live on for generations,” said interim superintendent Monifa McKnight in a statement. “I am grateful for her service, her leadership, and her guidance and will miss her wisdom and partnership."

Elrich offered his condolences to O'Neill's family and friends, and remarked on the impact O'Neill had during her career in Montgomery County.

"Montgomery County lost a leader, public servant, and compassionate resident who was determined to make this County a better place for current and future generations," said Elrich in a statement on Tuesday. "To honor her legacy, we need to continue the work she dedicated her life to. I join all Montgomery County residents this evening in extending our thoughts and sympathies to Mrs. O’Neill’s family and friends as well everyone in our Montgomery County Public Schools community."

Services have not been planned for O'Neill yet, a statement from the Board of Education said.

This story has been updated.