It is with a very heavy heart that the City of Goodyear announced the passing of Mayor Georgia Lord. She passed peacefully Sunday at her home with her family at her side. After a recent fall at her home in which she broke her hip, her health steadily declined.
“(Mayor Georgia Lord) was an inspiring woman and a proven leader who cared deeply about the City of Goodyear and the men, women and families who called it home,” said Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey. “Under Mayor Lord, Goodyear was transformed into an economic juggernaut, attracting new businesses and residents. Her care and love for her city was apparent to all, and she was frequently honored by community organizations for her service and accomplishments.”
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Mayor Lord has been a powerful advocate for the city of Goodyear since she moved here in 1997 with her late husband, Col. Ronald Lord (USAF, retired) after living in many different locations both nationally and internationally as a military spouse. The Lords had assignments throughout Europe, the Far East, and stateside at the Pentagon.
She began her illustrious career in local government when she was elected to the Goodyear City Council in 2005. Her love for public service deepened when she became the mayor of Goodyear in 2011, a position she held until her passing.
“I found public service to be rewarding. I saw for myself how local government shapes everyday lives, creates a community, and impacts overall quality of life. I really wanted to be part of that excitement,” the mayor once said. She went on to describe how she hoped being the city’s first female mayor would be an inspiration.
“It didn’t occur to me initially, and even until after the election, that I would be the first female mayor of the city of Goodyear. I am pleased to have the opportunity to demonstrate to Goodyear’s young women that anything is possible.”
She proved time and again that anything is, indeed, possible. She was a multi-dimensional woman who had a fascinating past. She was a collegiate cheerleader at Michigan State University, a devoted mother of four, a proud military wife, and a successful realtor. She was also a fashion model, spoke fluent German, and shared in the intrigue of life alongside her husband when he served as a military attaché in Europe during the Cold War.
Mayor Lord served on multiple committees and councils during her tenure, including the Arizona League of Cities and Towns Executive Committee, Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Council and Transportation Policy Committee, Greater Phoenix Economic Council Board of Directors, WESTMARC Board of Directors, Abrazo West Hospital Board of Directors, and Luke West Valley Partners.
Her most recent achievement was being honored with the Inspiration in Leadership Award at WESTMARC’s 29th Annual Best of the West Awards gala in October of this year. She has received many accolades over the course of her political career, including earning an honorary Doctorate of Public Administration from Franklin Pierce University in 2019, being named the 2019 Government Leader of the Year by the Arizona Capitol Times, recognition as Leadership West’s Civic Leader of the Year in 2018, was named as one of the “50 Most Influential Women in Arizona Business” by Arizona Business Magazine in 2014, and received a Distinguished Service Award from the Greater Phoenix Economic Council in 2013.
Mayor Lord’s legacy will live on for generations to come with her crowning achievement, the development of the Goodyear Civic Square at GSQ which will open in the summer of 2022. The mayor was incredibly passionate about creating a heart for the city and she had been steadily working toward that goal for decades.
She was a role model to many, immensely passionate about her city, and was a dedicated public servant. Though warm and kind, she was also known for being very direct and relished the opportunity to speak frankly. She was witty and had an incredible sense of humor. Her strength was unmatched.
Georgia Lord is survived by four children, four grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Vice Mayor Brannon Hampton is serving as acting mayor until the Goodyear City Council appoints a current city councilmember to complete the mayor’s term which ends in December 2022. The mayor and council would then accept applications from interested residents to appoint a new councilmember to fill the vacated council position. An election will be held in the Fall of 2022 to select a new mayor who will take office in January of 2023.
