In memoriam – Terry O’Grady

On November 28, East Village resident and former East Village Homes Corporation (EVHC) President Terry O’Grady passed away after a back-and-forth battle with cancer. Terry...

On November 28, East Village resident and former East Village Homes Corporation (EVHC) President Terry O’Grady passed away after a back-and-forth battle with cancer. Terry was dedicated to the community and to preserving a positive quality of life for Village residents.

As an EVHC board member, Terry focused on community safety and maintaining green space, roads and development. She initiated an ongoing maintenance program for lighting, streets, green space and trash pick-up in East Village, and worked to install signage and restrict unsafe parking on community roads. She was also instrumental in establishing the Private Property Maintenance Program, and sponsored Neighborhood Watch.

Terry always had her ear to the ground, and knew which County and State legislative bodies and personnel to speak with regarding East Village and Village community issues. She spent her 20-plus years in Montgomery Village testifying on issues impacting the community including: the relocation of the Shady Grove Service Park, Police/Fire Training Academy; parking issues; concrete operation; development of M-83; purposed school on Centerway Park; splitting the Gaithersburg Master Plan; ambulance fees; and the importance of the Community Safety Officer position. 

Terry also successfully requested East Village representation on the County Airport Advisory Board, and help found the Mid County Citizen Alliance, which, with the help of the residents, prevented the relocation of 400 school buses to East Village. She spent countless hours in discussion with the State of Maryland Department of Environment and Montgomery County to insure any development on the Nike Missile Site would be cleaned of hazardous materials.

In addition to her time on the EVHC Board, Terry also received an appointment from the Montgomery County Council to represent the residents of East Village on the Montgomery County Airpark Liaison Committee.

Representing and advocating for Village residents was Terry’s passion—one that will be missed in the Village and the Upcounty. Terry will not only be missed greatly by her family and loved ones but her friends and many people within the community.