Jennie Margaret Meador Forehand
December 17, 1935 ~ October 3, 2023
Former Maryland State Senator Jennie Margaret Meador Forehand passed away on October 3, 2023, at age 87, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Jennie was born in Nashville, TN and grew up in Charlotte, NC where she met her husband Bill in 7th grade. She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill, married in 1958 and moved to Maryland in 1961. After Jennie’s retirement from public service in 2014, she and Bill moved to Indianapolis, IN.
Jennie was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, played the piano ‘by ear’, and was an endless source of energy and inspiration to her friends and colleagues.
During her 36 years as a legislator in Annapolis, MD she represented Montgomery County Maryland’s 17th District (Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Garrett Park). Jennie was a force of nature and tirelessly focused her work on the Rights of Women, Safety from Human Trafficking, Health issues (physical fitness, nutrition, smoke free environments); Rights of Senior Citizens; and Promotion of the Arts and Art communities.
Her strong advocacy was a major force in bringing about the Baltimore Oriole’s stadium smoking restriction; Maryland’s ‘no smoking in public places’ law; the construction of Shady Grove Adventist Hospital; the Rockville Library; the Rockville Senior Center; the Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (RICA); the District Court House; and the Inter-County Connector Highway (ICC).
Jennie is survived by her husband Bill; daughter Virginia (Tom) Horn of Indianapolis, IN; son John (Heidi) Forehand of Chicago, IL, and 4 grandsons, Bill (Cali), Brian, Eric and Noah.
There will be a private burial at a later date. Services entrusted to O’Riley Branson Funeral Service and Crematory, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to: Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation at: https://peerlessrockville.org/support/in-memory-of-jennie-forehand/
Please visit www.OrileyBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Dear Bill,
Please accept our condolences on Jenny Margaret’s passing. She is present in so many happy memories for us, as a friend and as a mentor. May the peace of Christ be yours until the two of you are reunited in His glorious presence.
Laura Farthing Berthiaume & Margaret Farthing
I will always remember Jennie’s smile as Bill held her hand and they walked together into the services at All Souls.
It is amazing to read of her career and contributions to improving life for women in our society. She has left an amazing legacy
and the positive difference she made will be felt for all generations to come. I am so grateful to have known her and to know her beloved family.
Dear Bill and family,
I am so very sorry to hear of Jennie’s passing. Such fond memories of when we were back door neighbors in Woodley Gardens, seeing each other taking walks around the block and all the times we stopped to chat. Jennie was a true progressive woman taking leadership positions in our community and state long before it was commonplace. May her memory be a blessing.
It was an honor and a privilege to serve on the NIH Biosafety Committee with Senator Jennie Forehand for several years
In the late 1990’s into the new millennium. As an outside representative she often provided unique commentary. She was a citizens advocate and well respected.
In about 1990 I and another lawyer took Jennie to lunch in Annapolis at Cafe Normandie to discuss consumer issues. My first opportunity to spend time with her. As we looked at the menu a server walked by with a Crepe Suzette — a crepe with ice cream inside covered in chocolate, almonds and whipped cream. Jennie, when asked for her order, got a Crepe Suzette and when the server asked but “what for lunch”, Jennie said: “If I’m still hungry after I’ll get something else.” She ate dessert first and I immediately knew this was a wonderful person, and a free thinker. This was the start of a long admiration for her, her policies, her moral compass, her warmth, and her voting record. She always stood up for the consumer. How fortunate we all were she chose public service for her life’s work. May her memories be a blessing.
I met Jennie and Bill at All Souls UU Church in Indianapolis. I looked forward to seeing them on Sunday mornings. Their love and commitment to one another and Jennie’s warmth and friendliness radiated throughout our sanctuary. I feel fortunate to have known her for only a brief few years. I shall continue to look forward to Bill’s smiling face among our membership.
I wanted to write and share my profound sadness at Jennie’s passing. I was fortunate to work with her at the General Assembly as one of her Senate legislative aides. She was a wonderful, energetic lady and I truly loved working on her staff. We had wonderful conversations about her memories of Maryland life, and about where my family and I could find great steamed crabs! And being a Naval officer’s wife, we also had wonderful conversations about the Naval Academy and the Navy lifestyle; she was such a patriot. I hope that you, her family, are comforted by all of your wonderful memories of such a lovely lady.
To The Family of Senator Forehand,
Jennie was a favorite of mine during our times together in the Maryland Senate and Montgomery County Delegation. Her folksy charm was but one of the attributes that made her so special in a Chamber filled with men. Her contributions to the betterment of Rockville , Maryland, were lasting and she is missed by those who she touched..
God Bless her for public service,
Sincerely,
Former Md. State Senator Chris McCabe
Dear Bill, Virginia, and John,
Please accept my deepest sympathies. It was such a sadness when Jenny became ill. Jenny was one of the first people I met when I moved to Rockville. In true southern hospitality style, she introduced me to people she thought I would enjoy knowing, and included me in activities which helped me get started and feel at home here. I will always feel grateful for her generosity. Being a woman politician feels so normal now, it is easy to forget what a courageous and tireless train blazer she was. Her memory is truly a blessing to us all.
Dear Bill and Family,
I was so sorry to learn of Jennie’s passing. The Post published her obituary which was the first I heard. My sincere sympathies to you and your family. Jennie was so well known, respected and loved by all who knew her. Of course you know well what a wonderful person she was and will always be remembered for her many fine qualities. Best wishes from me and mine to you and yours. Ted Murphy
Dear Bill and Family
I sadly noted Jennie’s passing. I love the description in her obituary as a 'force of nature'. How true, and she was widely admired for her intelligence and dedication to public service. She was also a good neighbor and we spent many years across the street in Rockville raising our kids and enjoying the good life together. Dear Bill, I was so happy to visit you last year and to note that you are still going strong Best Wishes to you and your kids and grandkids. Ron
Dear members of the Forehand family,
In 1978, Senator Forehand gave me a scholarship to the University of Maryland, which set me up for many successes. Though I left Rockville long ago, I remember my father, Jim Martin, invoking Sen Forehand’s name for any local problem that arose over many decades. Sending condolences and remembering the wonderful Jennie Forehand with gratitude. Also, if anyone in the family would write back, my mom Mary Martin wants to send you a personal card, but we don’t have your address. Thank you and may Sen Forehand rest in peace.