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Barbara Cheryl Terio-Simon, a community activist and philanthropist who helped preserve Reston’s history and advance the legacy of its founder, died Friday, April 25. She was 81.
Born in Washington, D.C., in March 1944, Terio-Simon moved to Reston in 1969. She spent 22 years as the partner and wife of Reston founder and developer Robert E. Simon Jr. The couple married in 2004, and Simon died in 2015.
Terio-Simon played a central role in protecting the character of Lake Anne and documenting the ideas behind its design. In 2022, she and Eric MacDicken wrote “Community Is What It Is All About: An Ode to Lake Anne,” examining Simon’s vision for the village center and the ways its architecture and public art encourage community interaction.
She was also the driving force behind the 2019 reinstallation of the Reston Lakeside Pharmacy icons, a collection of storefront imagery inspired by the Pop Art movement of the 1960s. The playful artwork reflected Simon’s ambitions for the plaza.
Terio-Simon handled nearly every aspect of the project, from selecting contractors and arranging the layout to obtaining permits and raising money.
“This installation would certainly not exist without Cheryl’s leadership,” Carolyn Flitcroft, chair of the Reston Historic Trust & Museum, said at the dedication.
As vice chair of the Reston Historic Trust & Museum, Terio-Simon worked with the organization’s chair for several years to compile information supporting federal recognition of the Lake Anne Village Center Historic District. The National Park Service formally recognized the district in 2017, and it was subsequently designated for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
Her other leadership roles included vice chair of the Reston Association’s Design Review Board, president of the Lake Anne of Reston Condominium Association and trustee of the Reston Historic Trust.
Terio-Simon was also an emeritus member of the Virginia Bar. She earned a bachelor’s degree in government and politics from the University of Maryland and a law degree from George Mason University School of Law.
Her legal and government-relations career included serving as of counsel with Ballard Spahr Andrews and Ingersoll LLP and as director of government relations for the American Institute of Architects. Her lobbying work included advocacy for the Berne Implementation Act of 1988, which extended copyright protections to architectural drawings and specifications.
She also served as construction law counsel to the Associated General Contractors of America and joined the board of directors of the National Coalition to Save Our Mall in 2005. She was a member of Lambda Alpha International, a society connecting land-economics professionals around the world.
After her death, the Reston Community Center said Terio-Simon had devoted herself to preserving Reston’s spirit and honoring her late husband.
“Cheryl’s work went beyond simple activism; she brought the community together through her volunteer efforts and love for Reston’s history,” the center said. “She had a gift for connecting people and creating a strong sense of belonging among residents.”
Terio-Simon was living in Alexandria when she died. She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Karen Terio, and her partner, Dan; her son, Adam Terio, and his partner, Sarah; and three grandchildren, Abigail, Micah and Lillian.
A private memorial will be held at a later date. Donations in her honor may be made to the Reston Historic Trust & Museum or Cornerstones.