Jerrily Hannah Rodden Kress

Jerrily Hannah Rodden Kress, beloved mother, sister, daughter, aunt and friend. Born March 2, 1945 in St. Louis, Missouri to Jeremiah and Alraine Rodden. Died April 25, 2011 . Jerrily is survived by her daughter Kiersten Anne Kress, her mother Alraine, her siblings John, Pixie Dee, Roy, Jeremiah Jr., Donna, Frederick and Paul and their families.

Jerrily was a talented, award winning architect and a pioneer in an era when women were discouraged from pursuing careers involving Mathematics and Engineering. She attended both Valparaiso University in Indiana and Montana State University between 1963 and 1971, majoring in Business and Mathematics and getting her degree in Architecture. She graduated with honors, including Delta Phi Delta (National Honor Art and Architectural Society), Mortar Board (In Recognition of Scholarship, Leadership and Service) and Phi Kappa Phi (National Academic Honor Society).

She went on to build and run her own nationally recognized architectural firm, winning over 40 national and local awards during her tenure as President and Owner of KressCox Associates, P.C. She then continued her record of committed leadership and public service by becoming the Director of the Office of Zoning for the District of Columbia.

Jerrily received many professional awards and honors over the years for her outstanding work, including being honored for "Distinguished Public Service and Extensive Services to the District of Columbia", the District of Columbia Building Industry Association (DCBIA) Building Industry Award for her achievements in architecture and zoning , the Advisory Neighborhood Commission Award of Outstanding Contribution, the "Greatest Improvement in Public Service" award by the Federal Citizens Associations, the National AIA Honor Award, Best of Show and First Award from the Design Awards Competition, Award of Excellence in Religious Architecture, Best Craftsmanship Award, National Award of Merit for Excellence in Construction, AIA Award of Merit in Architecture, AIA Award of Excellence for Historic Resources, Excellence in Construction Award of Merit for Most Outstanding Institutional Design ... to name just a few!

Always ahead of her time, she was a guest lecturer on Solar Energy and Conservation as far back as 1978. She was selected to go to Cuba for the professional analysis of architectural preservation effort in Havana in 1988 and met Fidel Castro. She, her company and her work have been featured in many magazines and articles including Architectural Digest, Interior Design, Better Homes and Gardens and the Washington Post. She served as president of the Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, was appointed to several positions at the national level of the AIA and was elevated to Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. She was a founding member of the Washington Architectural Forum.

Around all this, Jerrily also found time to be a dedicated volunteer. She cared deeply about others and donated countless hours of her time as Past-President of the DC United Way and Chair of the National Capital Area United Way Social Planning Committee. She was a founding supporter of My Sisters' Place, the first shelter for battered women and children in the Metropolitan Washington area and was honored many times for her charitable work.

Jerrily not only shined in her profession, but she was also a loving, dedicated mother who described her daughter Kiersten as her biggest treasure in life. Jerrily was a caring daughter, sister and aunt to her large extended family and a dedicated and loyal friend to all her beloved co-workers. Her professionalism was always present in all she did, just as her deep care for all those she knew was always present in those relationships. Thank you, Jerrily for what you have given to history and what you have given to us.

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