Pamela E. Lennon

Pamela Lennon, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and artist, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 2, following a courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). She was 78.

Born and raised in Carney, Maryland, Pam was the beloved daughter of Harry and Eileen Parr and a proud graduate of Parkville High School. She went on to earn her degree in art education from Towson State College (now Towson University) and completed graduate studies at Towson University and Goucher College, laying the foundation for a life dedicated to inspiring children through art.

Pam began teaching in Baltimore County, spending ten years at Perry Hall and Ridgely Middle Schools. Together with her devoted husband of 52 years, John Daniel Lennon, she raised three children – Melissa, John Gregory, and Sean — while teaching private art lessons from home and serving as a substitute teacher. She was an engaged member of the Ellicott City community, volunteering with the Parent Teacher Association at her children’s schools and orchestrating a highly-anticipated haunted house each Halloween at St. John’s Lane Elementary – complete with a life-sized paper mache tree.

In 1998, Pam returned to the classroom full-time, teaching for the next 21 years at Hollifield Station, St. John’s Lane, Pointers Run, Dayton Oaks and Talbott Springs Elementary Schools in Howard County. She firmly believed that all children deserved access to the arts, and she developed a particular passion for nurturing creativity in students from underserved communities. Pam created school and community art galleries to showcase her students’ work, enriched her curriculum with visiting artists, and generously mentored many aspiring teachers.

Her dedication did not go unnoticed. Pam was named Outstanding Elementary Art Educator by the Maryland Art Education Association in 2000 and received the prestigious “Howie Award” from the Howard County Arts Council in 2004. A masterful artist herself, she especially enjoyed working with acrylics, watercolor and pastels, and made beautiful prints and pottery. She took great joy in creating pieces for her children and grandchildren that will be treasured for generations.

Above all, Pam cherished time with her family. She loved the beach and spent many happy summers in Ocean City, Maryland, her home away from home. Her family grew to include seven adored grandchildren — Kaeden, Kellyn, Kamden, and Kooper McCarthy, and Maeve, Shea, and Taryn Lennon — who lovingly knew her as “Grammy.” Pam delighted in identifying seashells with them and spoiling them at every opportunity. She will be remembered for her fabulous cooking, impeccable sense of style, and her legendary gift for conversation.

Pam is survived by her loving husband, John Daniel; her children, Melissa and Michael McCarthy, Greg Lennon and Jason Kezmarsky, and Sean and Jaime Lennon; her grandchildren; her sister, Lynne Silverman; and niece, Debi Kroll. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Gail Anne Parr.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 10, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, 4112 Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City, Maryland. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, February 11, at 11 a.m. at First Lutheran Church, 3604 Chatham Road, Ellicott City, followed by interment at Crest Lawn Memorial Gardens in West Friendship.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Pam’s memory to the ALS Association.