Wheaton, Md. – The Montgomery County Planning Board expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Marye Wells-Harley, a former Montgomery County Planning Board Commissioner and Vice Chair whose influence touched generations across our county and region during her four-decade career with The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). Wells-Harley was the first African American woman on the Montgomery Planning Board, serving from 2009 to 2017.
“Marye Wells‑Harley’s legacy is one of service, leadership, and lasting impact. On the Planning Board and across the Commission, she brought a deep commitment to community and public stewardship that helped shape our county,” said Planning Board Chair Artie Harris. “Marye opened doors for others and set a standard of excellence that continues to guide our work today. We are grateful for her vision and the example she leaves behind.”
Wells-Harley devoted her career to strengthening the quality of life in the county and strengthening our community spaces. Montgomery Parks’ Marye Wells-Harley Dream Camp Scholarship was established in 2018 to honor her commitment to young people, equity, and access to recreational opportunities. In partnership with the Montgomery Parks Foundation, the scholarship supports young people from diverse backgrounds within Montgomery County to participate in summer camp programs.
Her leadership extended beyond Montgomery County, including her tenure as director of the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation and serving on the Maryland State Arts Council and the Prince George’s County Advisory Committee on Aging. Since 2017, she has served as a Trustee, and most recently the Vice President, for the Montgomery Parks Foundation. She championed programs that ensured all families, regardless of background, could fully participate in community life.
“Marye Wells-Harley was more than a Planning Board colleague; she became my big sister and an extraordinary role model,” stated Montgomery County Council President Natali Fani-González, who served on the Montgomery County Planning Board with Wells-Harley. “Marye’s public service touched the lives in meaningful ways of everyone who knew her, and Montgomery County is a more vibrant community today thanks to Marye’s legacy.”
The Planning Board joins her family, friends, and the broader community in mourning her passing and celebrating a life dedicated to public service, stewardship, and opportunity.