Constance Rollison McAdam

Constance R. (“Connie”) McAdam, retired Arlington County Chief of Recreation, and a community activist, died on April 16, 2022. She lived in Arlington, Virginia. In the early 1970s, she met Richard C. McAdam and on December 16, 1972, they were married at the Clarendon United Methodist Church where Connie was a member.

Connie graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). After graduation, Connie worked in Richmond. A few years later, she moved to Sweden, where she obtained employment in the Swedish Department of Parks and Recreation.

Connie returned to Arlington in 1958 and began work with Arlington County’s Department of Parks and Recreation. She progressed through various offices, in 1969, became the first woman to head the Recreation Division. She established the County’s first community-school recreation center at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, the first senior nutrition site at Drew Elementary School, helped establish the Arlington Agency on Aging, and sponsored the first racially integrated high school dance in Arlington. She went on to establish a nationally and internationally recognized recreation program.

After retirement, she became the first woman to become the Chair of the Arlington Chapter of the American Red Cross. In addition, she served on the Arlington Arts Commission and was active with the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters, the Arlington United Way, St. George’s Episcopal Church, The Committee of 100 and the Ballston Partnership. Among her many awards, Connie was named Woman of the Year by the Arlington Community Foundation. She worked hard to develop numerous parks and green areas in Arlington, the last of which is Oakland Street Park.

Connie enjoyed the arts and attended performances. She was a financial supporter of all the major chorus, arts, and theater groups in Arlington.

Connie’s husband of 25 years, Col (ret.) Richard C. McAdam, died in 1997. Survivors include her brother John A. Rollison and wife Patricia of Richmond, VA, two nephews Christopher D. Rollison and Brian A. Rollison and their families, four stepchildren Sharon Waring, Pamela Kaster, Richard C. McAdam, Jr, and Lucy McAdam, and two step grandchildren Vanessa K. Kaster and Vince McAdam Kaster and their families.

A funeral service honoring Connie’s life will be held at St. George’s Episcopal Church on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at 1:30 pm. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery will occur at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. George’s Episcopal Church or The Arlington Community Foundation – Art Fund.