Jean A. Parr

Jean Alice Parr, 67, of Laurel, Md., passed away on August 30, 2024, after a brief illness with pneumonia, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on June 6, 1957, in Wilmington, Del., Jean was the daughter of Edward W. and Mary Parr. She graduated with honors from St. Mark’s High School in 1975 and earned her bachelor’s degree in plant science from the University of Delaware in 1979.

In 1981, Jean moved to Washington, D.C., where she began her 38-year career with the American Chemical Society. Over the years, she held various roles in public policy, government relations, membership affairs, and career services. In 2003, she was promoted to director of the society’s group insurance plans, a position she held until her retirement in 2019. Jean was also a board member of the National Association of Social Workers Insurance Co., serving from 2014 until 2024, and an officer and active member of the Howard County Branch of the American Association of University Women.

Outside of her professional achievements, Jean’s greatest joy was her son, Sebastian, whom she welcomed with her former husband, Michael Mezzanotte, in 2006. She was a devoted mother, always proud of Sebastian’s accomplishments and cheering him on in all aspects of his life. She had recently returned from dropping him off for his first year at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, just days before her passing.

Jean is survived by her son, Sebastian; her sisters, Patricia A. Glassen of Charlotte, N.C., and Mary V. Parr of Newark, Del.; her brothers, Edward M. Parr of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Stephen R. Parr of Goldsboro, N.C.; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was predeceased by her parents.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 12th from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at Donaldson Funeral Home of Clarksville, 12540 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jean’s memory may be made to the Howard County, Md., Branch of the American Association of University Women and FeedingAmerica.org, both of which support causes close to her heart.