Ann Robyn Mathias

Born was on April 28th, 1942 in Napoleon, Ohio, to the late Glenn and Angeline Rafferty. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree and her Law degree from American University, her Master of Science degree from John Hopkins University and her Doctor of Education degree from George Washington University. She was a member of Phi Delta Kappa and Phi Lambda Theta National Honorary and Professional Association in Education.

Robyn served on the board of trustees of three educational institutions. Robyn served on the Board of American University for 20 years and in 2006 received the President’s Award. She served on the Board of St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School for 13 years and she was a member of the founding Board of Emerging Scholars Program. Robyn co-sponsored the Robyn Rafferty Mathias Student Research Conference held by the College of Arts and Sciences of American University to promote undergraduate and graduate students to present original scholarly and creative works before colleagues, faculty, and friends. She was committed to giving young people the tools and resources to become educated, contributing and compassionate citizens.

While she worked with distinction on various Boards, Robyn was best known for extraordinary accomplishments during her 30 years of working for the Montgomery County Public Schools. Worthy of special recognition was her work with elementary children from low-income families. When she was appointed as principal of Rolling Terrace Elementary School in 1990, the school was considered highly problematic with its population of students from 20 foreign countries, enrolled in English as a second language, as well as 68% of the students qualifying for free and subsidized federal breakfast and lunch programs. Dr. Mathias achieved remarkable results at Rolling Terrace Elementary School by recruiting teachers who could relate to the diversity in their classrooms. She trained and supported them and when necessary raised the resources to implement the programs. Her concern for the whole child resulted in her efforts to build a strong parent outreach program and in the process demonstrated that all parents can actively help their children to learn.

After retirement, Robyn continued to advocate for low-income students by supporting the Emerging Scholars Program, the Bishop Jon T. Walker School for Boys and the Septima Clark Charter School for Boys in the District.

Robyn embraced life’s adventures; making new friends, engaging in new experiences, all while enjoying the company of friends and family.

Robyn is survived by her daughter, Ellen Susannah Mathias and her fiancée Christopher Clement Brian, of New York, her sisters; Jayne Rafferty Koester and husband Fred Koester of Stevensville, MD and Kathryn Rafferty Tollerton and her husband Harry Tollerton of Alexandria, VA and by her many, many friends.

.A public memorial service will be held on April 23rd, 2016, at 10:30 in the morning at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 4700 Whitehaven Parkway NW, Washington, DC, 20007.

Arrangements under the direction of Joseph Gawler's Sons LLC, Washington, DC.