Fredona Marie Gartlan

Fredona Manderfield Gartlan, a longtime advocate for those suffering from mental illness, died April 22, 2013 at her home in Mason Neck, Virginia. She was 85 years old and had suffered in recent years from Alzheimer’s Disease. The cause of death was an apparent heart attack.

Wife of the late Virginia State Senator Joe Gartlan and the mother of six children, Fredona Gartlan was the first president of the Mount Vernon Mental Health Center Board and long time member of the Fairfax-Falls-Church Community Services Board. Together, she and her husband provided decades of effective and compassionate leadership in Northern Virginia for those suffering from mental illness, cognition disabilities, and addictions. In recognition of their years of service in 2010 the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors named the Mount Vernon mental health facility the Joe and Fredona Gartlan Center for Community Mental Health.

“It was her early involvement in mental health advocacy that inspired many others, including her husband, to get involved in improving community mental health services,” said George Braunstein, Executive Director of the Fairfax –Falls Church Community Services Board. “Every day people come to the Gartlan Center and find help. They may not have known Fredona, but their hope is her legacy.”

Fredona Gartlan was also engaged in a myriad of other community, political and educational activities in Northern Virginia over the last half-century. She served on the Board of Visitors of George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, the Woodlawn Plantation Council, the public affairs committee of the Washington Regional Transplant Consortium and the Board of New Hope Housing in Alexandria. Gartlan also founded or served as president of numerous parents’ organizations at her childrens' schools and was an active member of the Wilton Woods and Hallowing Point Garden Clubs.

“Our mother was part of the greatest generation of Moms who selflessly devoted their lives to raising their children, supporting their husbands and supporting their schools and communities,” her children said. “She was an extraordinary and gracious woman, a loving mother, great friend and champion for the health and well-being of those who were mentally ill and homeless.”

Fredona Marie Manderfield was born on December 29, 1927 in Massillon, Ohio. Her family moved to Woodbridge, Virginia in 1939. She graduated from St. Mary's Academy in Alexandria, VA in 1944 and from Dunbarton College of the Holy Cross in Washington, DC in 1948. She worked at the Materials Lab at Fort Belvoir until her marriage in 1950.

Her parents were Grover P. and Hilda Manderfield. Grover Manderfield was a banker and member of the Prince William County, VA Board of Supervisors for six years.

Survivors include her brother, Grover J. “Bud” Manderfield of Alexandria, Virginia, and her six children: Michael Gartlan; Anne Gartlan Steele (Ed); Joan Gartlan; Peter Gartlan (Janet); Paul Gartlan (Gilda), and Joseph V. Gartlan 3d. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren: Patrick Gartlan; Kendall Gartlan; Rachel Gartlan; Aubrey Gartlan; Paul Gartlan; Caitlin Gartlan; and Olivia Steele.

Fredona Gartlan’s family is very grateful to Sookhee Lee, who provided great comfort, care and joy to their mother during her illness.

A wake will be held on Sunday, April 28th from 3 to 6pm at the Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151.

Funeral Services will be Monday, April 29th 10:30 am at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 8710 Mt Vernon Highway Alexandria, VA 22309. Burial immediately following at Mount Comfort Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to New Hope Housing; 8407–E ; Richmond Hwy; Alexandria, Va. 22309 or www.newhopehousing.org/