Mary Nelson Gatti

She was born on August 16, 1947 in Savannah, Georgia to loving parents Wilbur and Kitty Nelson. She graduated from Savannah High School in 1965 and married Frank Lee Gatti the same year. Mary and Frank were married for 31 years until his death in 1997.

Mary was successful businesswoman who dedicated her life to community service.

Mary's entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly throughout her life. With her husband, Frank, she co-founded Energy Accounting Systems , a thriving business known for cutting edge ways to manage energy consumption.

In subsequent years, Mary served as the Executive Director of the Central Georgia Alzheimer’s Association and during her tenure built the first Alzheimers Memory Garden in the country.

She was President of the Macon Career Women’s Network and also was President of the Macon Professional Women’s Sertoma Club. Mary served as the Director of Development for Loaves and Fishes, American Cancer Society, and also the Make A Wish Foundation.

Mary helped start the local recycling program and was responsible for planting trees at several locations in the city. In addition, she was a Commissioner on the Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Commission.

Mary served on the first waste advisory committee under Mayor Lee Robinson.

Mary was a board member of the Brown's Mount Association and was instrumental in helping to preserve Brown's Mount as a public space. She served on the board of Martha Bowman Memorial UMC and represented them at the South Ga Conference of the United Methodist Convention.

She received many awards for public service including the Community Service Award for the Keep Macon Bibb Beautiful Commission, The Georgia Wilderness Society Karl Pearce Ward of Outstanding Community Service, the Macon Earth Day Award, Second Place Award for Senior Community Success Story and the Community Leadership Award with the Career Women’s Network.

She is survived by her daughter Robin Newbern (John), grandson Gunner Lee Gatti Coombs (the apple if her eye), sister Leigh Griner (Barry) and brother Joe Nelson along with nephews Jonathan and Jeremy (Jackie) Cronin and grandnephews J, Nathan, and Grayson Cronin.

She was blessed to be a member of Martha Bowman United Methodist Church and Nan Freeman Sunday School Class.

Mary had many friends and she loved all of them. On her behalf, the family would also like to thank a few of her very dear friends who were also angels!

The family will greet friends from 10:00am - 11:00am, Monday, January 8, 2024, at Martha Bowman United Methodist Church. A memorial service will follow at 11:00am, in the church sanctuary with interment at Riverside Cemetery. Rev. Fran Magoni will officiate.

Remembrances can be sent to United in Pink, www.unitedinpink.org, in memory of Mary Gatti.

Snow's Memorial Chapel at Bass Road has charge of arrangements. Condolences may be registered online at snowsmacon.com.