OBITUARY Sally Higgins Harbaugh August 6, 1930 – December 23, 2018 Sally Higgins Harbaugh went home to be with the Lord on December 23rd, 2018. Sally was born on August 6th, 1930 and was raised by absolutely wonderful parents, Commander USN Robert Barnard Higgins and Iva Lester Higgins. She spent most of her childhood in Newnan Ga and then after a brief stent in Charleston SC, she moved to Macon GA, where she lived out her teen and young adult years.
She graduated from Wesleyan College with a BA in History. She was known as a graceful diver and swimmer, as well a beautiful soprano soloist. After college she served as an officer in the US Navy, rising to the rank of Lieutenant.
Her family had been Naval Officers for 4 generations and she wanted to continue the tradition. She served under Admiral Rickover in the Nuclear Program and was mentioned in books about him. Sally met Captain USN Norman Harbaugh, a dashing officer also with the Nuclear Program, and they were later married at the Naval Academy Chapel, the same location as her parents.
Sally would eventually settle in Atlanta Ga, choosing Druid Hills because of her love of old historic homes. When they wanted to destroy and pave over the Druid Hills Parks along Ponce de Leon, she researched in the Library of Congress that these parks were designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead (the father of American landscape architecture- who designed Central Park in NY City). Her research along with many other people and organizations helped to preserve these gorgeous parks.
She helped found the Atlanta chapter of Olmsted Park Society in 1983 and faithfully served as its first President, and served on the national Olmsted Board, as well as 20 years on the Druid Hills Civic Association board. Mayor Andrew Young presented her the Awards in Excellence from the Atlanta Urban Design Commission in 1986. As one of the founders of the Olmsted Linear Park Alliance, she was instrumental in the restoration of the parks for future generations.
DeKalb County awarded her A Proclamation of Appreciation for all her community work in 2004. Sally received the Lifetime Achievement from the Olmsted Linear Park Alliance in 2018. Sally loved Jesus and had a deep spiritual Christian faith.
As a soprano soloist at Druid Hills Baptist Church and then again at Clairmont Baptist Church and then as member of Mountain Park Baptist Church, she touched many peoples heart with her voice. Sally was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Norman Ross Harbaugh in 2013. She is survived by her son Dr. Norman Ross Harbaugh Jr. (wife Dana), and grandchildren Adam Lee Harbaugh (wife Shay), Chandler Heilman Harbaugh, Norman Ross Harbaugh III, and sister Capt.
USN Maria Salter Higgins. Celebration of Life is scheduled for Druid Hills Baptist Church – now the Church at Ponce and Highland –1085 Ponce de Leon Ave N.E., Atlanta GA 30306 on Saturday December 29th at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, it is Sally’s wish that a charitable donation be made to either the Linear Olmsted Park Alliance or the Salvation Army.
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