Marilyn Mills Nejelski

Marilyn Mills Nejelski of Bethesda, MD passed away April 14, 2024. Born in Horton, Kansas July 12, 1934 and raised in Guthrie, Oklahoma, she came to Washington to attend George Washington University, graduating in 1957. After working at the Washington Post and the American Historical Association, she joined the 1960 presidential campaign of John Kennedy. After the election, she was a secretary in the White House for three years to Larry O'Brien, special assistant to the president for congressional relations and personnel. Her other federal government service included the State Department, the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department. Marilyn was also active in the women's movement -- National Women's Political Caucus (appointments secretary) and Women Judges Fund for Justice (executive director).

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Paul Nejelski; her daughter Nicole Coxson and son Stephen Nejelski; and granddaughters Chloe and Drew Coxson. She was an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Georgetown DC for 45 years. A memorial mass will take place in Trinity's Chapel of St. Ignatius, 3513 N St. on Tuesday May 14 at 10:30 a.m. Donations in her memory may be made to Holy Trinity.