NATOA Mourns The Loss Of A Friend, A Mentor, A Champion of the People, And A Beautiful Soul
With the passing of NATOA Past President Jane Lawton on Thursday, November 29, 2007, many friends and associates have expressed their grief over the loss of so valued and valuable a member of our not so small community. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to her daughters, the rest of her family and friends.
Memorial Contribution Information is Available at www.janelawton.org
In honor of Jane, and the many contributions she made to NATOA and its members over the years, we offer here some of those expressions of remorse at our loss, as well as some photos to remind us of how lovely and vibrant a lady Jane always was, and as she should always in our hearts, be remembered.
Jane - I will miss your hearty laugh, big smile, warm and big heart, gracious and yet strong personality, and your passion for work and life.
Jane was a truly wonderful person and dedicated to public service, helping each of us with our issues as if they were her own. We have lost such an advocate for all that NATOA encompasses. I can’t begin to express what losing Jane means as a friend and colleague.
‘The Honorable’ is not just a title for Jane, it was a deep and abiding quality that she imbued in all she did. She was an advocate for consumers and constituents first and foremost, with a tender touch and steely intent. There is an irony in her being suddenly silenced while in dynamic, mid-stride. Her energy and commitment to public service was tireless. With the legacy of leadership, public policies, laws and projects that she inspired, advocated for, and implemented — her voice will be heard for decades to come. That is quite a legacy! That legacy should give us some comfort as we struggle with this stunning loss.
The trail of this comet will be visible for many, many years to come.
Biographical Statement:
Stephanie & Jane Lawton
Former FCC Chairman Bill Kennard
and Jane Lawton
NATOA Past President’s Darryl Anderson
and Jane Lawton
The Honorable Jane E. Lawton, Member, State of Maryland, House of Delegates, representing District 18 since November 1, 2005, served on the Environmental Matters Committee, Joint Committee on the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area, Joint Committee on the Selection of the State Treasurer (2007), Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission Matters Committee, Veterans Caucus, Women Legislators of Maryland, with prior service to the Transportation Committee (2006-2007) and the Bi-County Committee (2007).
Throughout her service to the State, Ms. Lawton continued in her service to Montgomery County , Maryland where she was the Cable Communications Chief for since February, 1996. In that capacity, she directed the Division of Cable and Communications Services, Department of Technology Services, which has the responsibility to negotiate and administer cable, OVS, and other telecom franchises. She was responsible for oversight over the County’s cable and telecommunications activities, including thirteen Public, Educational and Government (PEG) channels, an institutional network and special projects. Ms. Lawton also served as Chair of the Telecommunications Transmission Facilities Commission (Tower Committee), an interagency working group which recommends sites for wireless facilities in the County. Prior to serving in this capacity, Ms. Lawton served as Special Assistant to the Montgomery County Executive from 1992 – 1994.
Ms. Lawton served as President of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) from 1998- 1999, after serving a number of years as a member of the Board. She also headed the 1998 Conference Sponsorship Committee, the 1997 Conference Committee and served as Chapter Liaison in 1996-1997.
Ms. Lawton served four terms as Mayor in the Town of Chevy Chase, Maryland, where she was on the Council for twelve years. She was active on the Maryland Municipal League’s State Legislative Committee and chaired numerous citizen boards and commissions. She had extensive knowledge of the workings of local government, particularly local land use and zoning law and, County and municipal regulatory authority.Prior to her government work, Ms. Lawton was a Special Assistant to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives for eight years, and before that, she was a System Engineer for the IBM Corporation.
Ms. Lawton was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma and graduated summa cum laude from the University of Oklahoma where she earned a degree in Government, History and Economics; Phi Beta Kappa. She is survived by her husband (separated) and two daughters and resides in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Additional information about Jane and her legacy are available at www.janelawton.org.