In Memory: Donna Adams Mahaffey, Had A Heart For Service

Editor’s note: the following obituary was submitted by H.M. Patterson & Son Funeral Home.

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Donna Adams Mahaffey, of Sandy Springs died Monday, Dec. 28, 2015.

Donna was a rare native Atlantan, born at Crawford Long Hospital and the epitome of a Steel Magnolia. Donna was a loving and amazing daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother and grandmother affectionately known as Ogo. She had an elegant and classic presence about her. She made people feel better just by being in her presence and she always lit up the room. Strangers felt comfortable to share their life stories and troubles with her. She would bring them comfort and always do something to help.

Donna deeply loved children, animals and nature. She loved to travel across the U.S. and around the world. She understood that life was all about the journey of adventure. She always took the scenic route without ever having a map or directions. She stopped to smell the roses and knew the names of every flower and tree.

Donna was an unsung hero and public servant in Atlanta for over 40 years. She had a heart for service and was passionate about helping to make everyone’s life better. In the late 1960’s and throughout her career, she broke through the glass ceiling for working women with her hard work, creativity, intelligence and innovative ideas. She was promoted into influential leadership positions with US, state and local governments. She was a huge proponent of civil rights and furthering equal opportunity for all. One of her guiding principles was to always give back to the world for the blessings that she had been bestowed.

She left her mark by working on many projects in the metro Atlanta area. She did the demographic research for where to build Northside Hospital and worked closely with the first CEO of the hospital. She was on the MARTOC committee that eventually built Atlanta’s MARTA rapid rail system.

After working for the state government and U.S. Congressman, Elliott Levitas, Donna began working for DeKalb County government under Walt Russell’s administration. She continued to be a trusted advisor and key staff member under Manuel Maloof and Liane Levetan. Liane Levetan said ‘Her ability to get along with people as well as recognize problems and issues were remarkable. She got things done.’

She served in key roles for over 25 years with the county, including the senior administrator. She interacted with every department in the county, plus she was a liaison to the Georgia State Capitol. One of her proudest moments was the national recognition when DeKalb County won the ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARD in 1998, given by the National Civic League.

Donna was a liaison on the committee and was instrumental in bringing the government, businesses and community together. She applied this cohesive model with the DeKalb County Prevention Alliance and from the success there, was an advisor to President Jimmy Carter on the Atlanta Project in 1995, which other states use as a template today.

After retiring from the county, Donna facilitated strategic planning for University Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, DeKalb County Public Health Department and Perimeter Community Improvement Districts (PCIDs).

She served fourteen years to PCIDS and PBA. Twelve years, she was the director of external affairs and chief of staff. She provided major support for the I-285 & S.R. 400 advocacy campaign beginning in 2012. She won national awards in external affairs for the Ashford-Dunwoody Diverging diamond campaign in 2011, National award for PCID annual report in 2012.

She was selected for Leadership DeKalb and Leadership America. She served on many non-profit boards, including Senior Connections, Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce and the Marta Oversight Board.

Mrs. Mahaffey was preceded in death by her brother, James Sherwood Adams and is survived by her husband, Tom Mahaffey; daughters, Shana DeLuca (Rich), Helen Craig (Daniel); sons, Andrew Mahaffey (Ashley), Jason Mahaffey; grandchildren, Emily DeLuca, Oliver Craig, Grady Craig; sister-in-law, Mary Lou Adams; nephew, Sean Paul Adams (Jessica); and niece, Meghan Stabinsky (Michael).

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Senior Connections in DeKalb County or The Drake House in Roswell, Georgia. The memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016 at 2 p.m. at H.M. Patterson & Son-Oglethorpe Hill Chapel 4550 Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta, Georgia 30319.

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Image via H.M. Patterson & Son Funeral Home