Virginia Cretella Mars of McLean, Virginia, has been a civic volunteer for over 35 years. She was born on March 15, 1930 in New Haven, Conn., daughter of Albert and Josephine Cretella. She graduated from Vassar College in 1951 with a BA degree in Art and Drama and her teaching certification. She taught in the North Haven Public Schools from 1951 to 1955. She was married to Forrest E. Mars, Jr. in 1955 (divorced 1990.) They have four daughters and ten grandchildren.

Active in civic affairs, Mrs. Mars presently serves as President of the Board of Wildlife Trust and is a member of the Boards of the National Symphony Orchestra (past president), President’s Advisory Council of Vassar College, the Cathedral Choral Society, and the National Cathedral Association.

Mrs. Mars was a director of the Mars Foundation and a member of the Board of Trustees of American University, Johns Hopkins for the American Institute for Contemporary German Studies, the Langley School of McLean, Virginia, Junior Guild of the American Cathedral in Paris (past president), Northwest Settlement House in Washington, DC, the Potomac School of McLean, Virginia, Georgetown Library Advisory Council, and the Washington National Cathedral Foundation, and Vassar College. She also served on the Board of Cardinal Bank, Dulles.

In her spare time, she enjoys fishing, skiing, needlepoint, cooking and gardening.