Arizona Senator Marilyn Jarrett, NFWL Chair-Elect, Dies
March 10, 2006
Special Letter writting by Robin Read, NFWL President & CEO.
The National Foundation for Women Legislators lost a dear friend and strong leader with the passing of Arizona State Senator Marilyn Jarrett today (1939-2006). Senator Jarrett (R-Mesa) has been an active member of NFWL and its sister organization , the National Order of Women Legislators (The Order), since her election to the Arizona House of Representatives in 1995.
Marilyn was elected by her fellow women legislators to serve as the next President of the Order and was sworn in at the 2005 NFWL Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Her installation ceremony for her corresponding role as Chair of NFWL was scheduled for this spring. Marilyn served as Chair of the Host Committee for the 2005 NFWL Annual Conference and is credited with bringing the enormously successful event to her home state. As Host Committee Chair, she led the planning and organization of the event, harnessing the collective resources and energy of her friends and colleagues in the Greater Phoenix community.
Marilyn was currently serving as the President Pro Tempore of the Arizona Senate and previously served as the Majority Whip during her tenure in the Arizona House of Representatives. She arrived at the legislature on Thursday, March 9th and suffered what is believed to be a stroke in her office. Her assistant Connie Dow notified authorities and located Senator Robert Cannell, a pediatrician , when Senator Jarrett's breathing became irregular.
Marilyn was a strong advocate for her constituents as she spearheaded legislation to reduce the risk of deadly forest fires and championed the arts by supporting Mesa's new Arts Center. She served on the Original Visions Mesa Committee and was an active member of her church. Her leadership, passion, and commitment to supporting fellow women leaders made her a valuable member of NFWL and the Order. She will be truly missed by her friends, colleagues and members of the National Foundation for Women Legislators. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and colleagues during this difficult time.
The National Foundation for Women Legislators lost a dear friend and strong leader with the passing of Arizona State Senator Marilyn Jarrett today (1939-2006). Senator Jarrett (R-Mesa) has been an active member of NFWL and its sister organization , the National Order of Women Legislators (The Order), since her election to the Arizona House of Representatives in 1995.
Marilyn was elected by her fellow women legislators to serve as the next President of the Order and was sworn in at the 2005 NFWL Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Her installation ceremony for her corresponding role as Chair of NFWL was scheduled for this spring. Marilyn served as Chair of the Host Committee for the 2005 NFWL Annual Conference and is credited with bringing the enormously successful event to her home state. As Host Committee Chair, she led the planning and organization of the event, harnessing the collective resources and energy of her friends and colleagues in the Greater Phoenix community.
Marilyn was currently serving as the President Pro Tempore of the Arizona Senate and previously served as the Majority Whip during her tenure in the Arizona House of Representatives. She arrived at the legislature on Thursday, March 9th and suffered what is believed to be a stroke in her office. Her assistant Connie Dow notified authorities and located Senator Robert Cannell, a pediatrician , when Senator Jarrett's breathing became irregular.
Marilyn was a strong advocate for her constituents as she spearheaded legislation to reduce the risk of deadly forest fires and championed the arts by supporting Mesa's new Arts Center. She served on the Original Visions Mesa Committee and was an active member of her church. Her leadership, passion, and commitment to supporting fellow women leaders made her a valuable member of NFWL and the Order. She will be truly missed by her friends, colleagues and members of the National Foundation for Women Legislators. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and colleagues during this difficult time.