Susan Mendheim

MENDHEIM (McNeill),

Susan

Susan McNeill Mendheim died peacefully in her sleep on the morning of September 17, 2024. She was 81.

Susan was born at Crawford Long Hospital on June 15, 1943, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Mr. Walter McNeill and Mrs. Elizabeth McNeill. She grew up in Ansley Park, attended Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga, TN, and graduated from Emory University in 1966.

Susan personally and professionally devoted her remarkable life to Midtown for over three decades. As President and CEO of the Midtown Alliance and a longtime resident of the Midtown community, she believed that Midtown could be more than a thoroughfare connecting Buckhead and Downtown. She was the guiding light behind Blueprint Midtown (1997) - a community-designed master plan that continues to influence Midtown's growth and development. Her commitment led to the largest rezoning in Atlanta's history, effectively codifying the Blueprint into law. Her vision transformed Midtown with its distinctive architecture, walkable streets, diverse land uses, and engaging public spaces. Susan led through consensus; she actively engaged others and asked how they wanted their community to grow. Her lifelong quest for community was validated when the New York Times remarked, "It is in Midtown that Atlanta feels most like a real city."

As a single parent, Susan was no less devoted to the success of her two daughters. "Mom made us dolls of every color to teach us that we were members of a diverse world. She encouraged us to be of service to others and to be kind. She valued education and encouraged us to be lifelong learners. She taught us the difference between right and wrong and the importance of owning your mistakes and making them right. Most importantly, she taught us how to have a relationship with God, how to pray and ask for forgiveness, and to trust in Him when we did not have the answers. She will be missed, but her presence and impact on our lives will be with us always."

Susan was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her daughters, Kristi Mendheim, and Elizabeth Mendheim Thompson (Kevin) of Atlanta, GA; two grandsons, Cameron and Caleb Thompson of Atlanta, GA; her sister, Elizabeth Shumard (Terry) of Madison, CT.

As per Susan's wishes, her immediate family will have a private celebration of life at a later date. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Brickmont at Johns Creek for their devotion and care.