Former Lilburn Mayor Diana Preston, who served 22 years on the Lilburn City Council, died Monday at the age of 69, the city announced Wednesday.
Preston was the first woman to serve as the city’s mayor. She was elected in 2007 and served one term after more than two decades on the city council.
She died after a long battle with cancer, according to an obituary. She is survived by her husband, three children, mother, four siblings and two grandchildren.
While on city council, Preston was instrumental in the creation of the Camp Creek Greenway Trail, a 4.2-mile multi-use trail built in 2007, the city said. Preston also set in motion construction of the new City Hall and Library complex and helped form the Lilburn Community Improvement District along the Highway 29 corridor.
“Diana’s dedication and love for her community was unmatched,” City Manager Bill Johnsa said in a city release. “She touched many lives and will be greatly missed.”
Preston lived in the Lilburn area from 1970 until her death. She was originally from Charleston, South Carolina and attended Clemson University before becoming a teacher in Gwinnett County Public Schools. She retired from the district after serving in administrative and coordinator roles.
The city of Lilburn declared Dec. 12 “Diana Preston Day” in honor of her service to the city.
Services for Preston will be held on Monday, Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. at St. John Neumann Church, located at 801 Tom Smith Road SW in Lilburn.
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