The longest serving Montgomery County Council member, Marilyn Praisner, passed away Friday, February 1st, from complications following heart surgery.

Praisner, who was from Calverton and represented District 4 (D-East County), had surgery to replace a heart valve on January 30th and the family says they were told by doctors the surgery went well. The county council was expecting for her to be in Suburban Hospital for about five days and then recuperate at home.

While at home resting, Praisner planned on participating in county meetings by phone and return to the council as soon as possible. The problem with Praisner's heart was discovered after a car crash in Burtonsville. She was in the hospital for two weeks, suffering from a collapsed lung.

County Executive Isiah Leggett released the following statement:

"Nobody in Montgomery County government ever worked harder, knew more, or cared more than Marilyn Praisner. Whether serving her country in the Central Intelligence Agency, looking out for our kids as a School Board member, or laboring tirelessly to make a good County better in her 18 years on the Council, Marilyn brought to whatever task at hand a keen intellect, a big heart, and a passionate devotion to public service."

The statement continues, "For me - and for the many thousands of people all over this County, this state, and this country whose lives Marilyn touched - there is a hole in our lives Friday where Marilyn used to be. She was a colleague, a dear friend, a loving wife, a caring mother, and a delighted grandmother. We mourn her loss. We celebrate her life. May God reach out and bless and comfort her loved ones."

Praisner was 66. Viewing will be held on February 4 and 5 from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Hines Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire, Silver Spring. A prayer service will be held on Tuesday evening at 7:30 pm.

Interment will be private. Memorial Mass will be held on February 9 at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 12319 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family of Mrs. Praisner said that contributions can be made to the following:

Ida Raitano Scholarship Fund
c/o Associate Alumnae of Douglass College
181 Ryder Lane
New Brunswick, NJ 08901