A Tree Grows In Ashburn.

In Appreciation Connie Romanello (December 8, 1924 - December 18, 2000)

In Betty Smith's classic novel A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, lead character Francie Nolan refers to a tree in front of her family's dwelling as the "tree of heaven." Symbolically, this tree serves as a metaphor for her life, that no matter how many times it was cut down, it always seemed to grow back with thicker branches and wider leaves.

On February 24th of this year, a sugar maple tree was planted in Ashburn, Va. on the front lawn of the Ahrens NRPA Institute as a dedication to long-time NRPA Trustee and park and recreation stalwart Connie Romanello. Symbolically, this tree serves as a living memorial to all that Connie was about, herself a tireless fighter for parks and recreation.

I was fortunate to know Connie for more than 12 years and I would be hard pressed to find another citizen board member who gave more of herself to ensure that others were happy. She was a volunteer in the truest form of the word, someone who gave endlessly without expecting anything in return. Her reward was the smiles on the faces of the children and adults in the Maryland and greater Washington, DC, area who enjoyed endless hours of play and recreation.

Her volunteer efforts included work with the following organizations and causes: her beloved St. Joseph's Church; Beltsville Elementary School; Beltsville Junior High; High Point PTA; Girl Scouts; Young-At-Heart; Federation of Parks and Recreation Council; Vansville Heights Citizens Association; Beltsville Women's Club; Knights of Columbus; American Heart Association; the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association; and NRPA.

Connie was a devoted NRPA Trustee and a leader within the Citizen-Board Member branch. She traveled to every NRPA Congress from 1983 until 1999, when illness prevented her from travelling. She attended every NRPA Midyear Forum and Legislative Conference during these years as well. She could always be counted on to help NRPA's public policy agenda by calling on local Maryland representatives and both senators from Maryland to advocate for park and recreation causes.

As a member of NRPA's Mid-Atlantic Regional Council, Connie attended every meeting and tirelessly gave of her time. Connie was a warm, gregarious person with a perpetual smile on her face. She was the proverbial "Belle of the Ball" at the NRPA Congress, always surrounded by people who wanted to talk with her and share her company. Her presence at NRPA events will be greatly missed.

Connie is survived by her husband, Victor, and by her three children -- Rita, Anita and Charles. But Connie's presence at NRPA will always be remembered by the presence of her tree. And as the years go by we will all be able to see its growing limbs reach skyward. NRPA's own little "tree of heaven."