Dr. Marla Holden Obituary, Death: Woman fatally struck by falling tree on George Washington Parkway identified.

Dr. Marla Holden Obituary, Death – Cleanup efforts are still underway along a section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway following a devastating storm last Friday that caused widespread damage and tragically claimed two lives. As of Tuesday morning, part of the Parkway remains closed to traffic as crews work to clear fallen trees and debris. Among the most heartbreaking incidents, two separate vehicles were struck by trees during the storm, resulting in the deaths of two women.

One of the victims has now been publicly identified. Dr. Marla Holden, 61, of Fort Washington, Maryland, lost her life when a tree collapsed onto her car while she was driving home from work. The fatal incident occurred along a stretch of the Parkway near Morningside Lane and Mount Vernon Circle. Holden was an accomplished professional and beloved member of her community.

According to a statement shared with FOX 5 by her husband, Holden had been employed as a project manager at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate for the past six years. Her career and life story reflect resilience, independence, and determination. As a single mother, Holden worked hard to put herself through college, later establishing her own business. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she was also a world traveler and a passionate photographer who had seen and captured images from across the globe. Her husband described her as “a force,” and her death has left a deep void in the lives of those who knew and loved her.

Holden’s tragic death was one of two that occurred during Friday’s severe weather, which brought down numerous trees throughout the region. The second fatality took place on Frye Road, where another tree struck a vehicle and fatally injured the female driver. Officials in Fairfax County have not yet released the identity of that victim.

In the immediate aftermath of the crash that killed Holden, several bystanders made brave attempts to assist. Pastor Jesse Johnson was among a group of approximately 20 good Samaritans who rushed to the scene in hopes of rescuing her. Johnson described entering the car through the back window and clearing away branches in an attempt to reach the victim. Despite their best efforts, the group was unable to save her.

As cleanup operations proceed, authorities are assessing the extent of the storm’s impact on the area. Crews are working diligently along a 2.5-mile segment of the Parkway, between Belle View Boulevard and Alexandria Avenue. In this zone alone, about 15 trees were toppled by the high winds and heavy rain that swept through the region on Friday.

The National Park Service, which oversees the George Washington Memorial Parkway, has urged the public to avoid the closed section while workers continue to remove debris and ensure the area is safe. Officials have not yet announced when the affected portion of the Parkway will reopen, but they emphasized that the safety of the public and work crews remains the top priority.

This storm was part of a larger weather system that moved through the mid-Atlantic region late last week, leaving a trail of destruction in its path. The sudden and violent nature of the storm caught many drivers off guard, and emergency responders have been working around the clock since then to deal with its aftermath.

In communities surrounding the Parkway, residents are still grappling with fallen trees, power outages, and blocked roadways. The storm’s effects were especially visible along the scenic Parkway, where towering trees, some likely decades old, were uprooted and hurled onto the road, damaging vehicles and disrupting traffic.

For those who knew Dr. Marla Holden, her death is not just a statistic in the storm’s toll but a deeply personal loss. Friends, family, and colleagues are mourning a woman who overcame great personal challenges and dedicated her life to meaningful work. Her role at Mount Vernon connected her directly to American history, and her husband’s words paint a picture of someone who lived with passion and purpose.

The identity of the second woman who died in the Frye Road incident remains undisclosed, and authorities are likely continuing to notify next of kin. The Fairfax County Police Department and other local agencies are involved in investigating the storm-related deaths and will continue to monitor recovery operations throughout the region.

As the cleanup continues, public officials are reminding people to remain vigilant when traveling in areas that may still be hazardous due to fallen trees or unstable conditions. They also extend their condolences to the families of both victims and thank the community members who tried to help during the crisis.

The events of Friday’s storm serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers posed by severe weather. For many in the D.C. metro area, it was a tragic day that underscored the fragility of life and the strength of community efforts in the face of natural disasters.