City of Santa Clara, CA

11/09/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/09/2023 17:04

City Council Recognizes the Life of Trailblazing Late Former Mayor Patricia Mahan

At the November 7 City Council meeting, Council recognized the late Patty Mahan, former Mayor and Councilmember, who passed away on October 28, 2023.

From the official proclamation:

Patricia "Patty" Mahan served as Mayor and Councilmember in the City of Santa Clara, having first been elected to the Council in 1994, and subsequently elected as the City's second female Mayor in 2002 and 2006, and re-elected as Councilmember in 2010 and 2016.

A Santa Clara native, she graduated from San José State University in 1974, became a teacher, and then returned to school to become an attorney, graduating from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1980 and practicing law for the rest of her career.

She held over 20 years in public office, and during that time was a master consensus-builder who led the City through many milestones and historic moments, such as the Great Recession and the development of Levi's Stadium. During her tenure, she led other new development, including the Rivermark community, Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center, an updated Central Park Library, and a new library branch in the Northside.

She led many Boards, including Santa Clara Soroptimists, Santa Clara Woman's Club, Santa Clara University Catala Club, Breast Cancer Outreach at Kaiser Hospital Santa Clara, Santa Clara Library Reading Program, and Ulistac Nature Preserve.

Throughout her career she demonstrated the spirit of public service and strived to, in her words "improve our city, enhance neighborhoods, and create growth and opportunities for all."

As a cancer survivor, battling and overcoming health challenges for many years, she passed away on October 28, 2023 at the age of 71. As a trailblazer, public servant, wife, mother, sister, and friend she will be deeply missed, and her legacy will continue to reverberate throughout the Santa Clara community.

Members of Patty's family were in attendance to accept the proclamation in recognition of her dedication and commitment to public service to the Santa Clara community and the positive impact she made on the lives of so many here in the Mission City.