The Honorable former Mayor of Hartwell, Joan Haddad Saliba, died on Thursday, April 16th at 7:13pm at Hartwell Hospital, surrounded by family, friends and beautiful music.

Mayor Saliba moved to Hartwell with her optometrist husband, the former Dr. Elias S. Saliba, after a short career as a torch singer at the famous Chicago Theatre. She fell in love with Hartwell at first sight, and vowed to never leave.

After raising her children, and serving as matriarch of the family, Joan's political career sprung into action. She served on the Peanut Brigade for President Jimmy Carter in the 70s, and then decided to make Hartwell the "Best Little Town by a Dam Sight," and ran for Mayor in 1979. After her first failed bid for Mayor, Joan ran for City Council and became the first woman elected to that office. In 1981, she ran for Mayor again and was victorious.

She spent the next 22 years making Hartwell what it is today. She fought for fiscal responsibility, environmental issues, and gained over $4.8 million in grants for the city. She made the campaign promise to never raise taxes, and she upheld that promise for 22 years.She helped Hartwell gain a place on the National Historic Register, and refurbished the once rundown Depot Street, into a "cultural street" featuring shops, restaurants, bluegrass music all, Hart County Community Theatre, and a tourism railroad.

For years, state and national Democratic politicians tried to woo Mayor Saliba into running for Governor and/or Senator, but she always told them, "Hartwell is My Town, and I'm not leaving."

Mayor Joan Saliba is survived by her loving family, including her children, Rita Smith, and her husband Lenford Smith; Sharon Saliba, and her husband Bob Wess; and Dr. David Saliba. Her surviving grandchildren are Alisa Smith-McMahon, and her husband Paul McMahon, Stephen Smith, and his wife Jill Smith, Robert Wess, Michael Wess, Elias Saliba and Elizabeth Saliba. She is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren, Connor & Declan McMahon; and Lea Maye and Luke Smith.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 20th at 11:00am at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Hartwell, Ga. Visitors will be received at Strickland Funeral Home in Hartwell, on Sunday, April 19th from 6-8pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Organ Fund, 579 Fairview Ave, Hartwell, GA30643 or to Alzheimer's Association, 1925 Century Blvd, Suite 10, Atlanta, GA30345.

The Strickland Funeral Home ~ Hartwell Chapel is in charge of all arrangements.Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.stricklandfh.com.