DOVER - Susan C. Mahla, a former resident of Dover, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011, in Jacksonville, Fla. As a youth growing up in Dover, Susan was active in the Girl Scouts, played the piano, and was a member of the choir and youth programs at People's Church. Upon graduation from Dover High School, she attended Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Fla. and the Massey School of Art and Design in Atlanta, Ga. Susan was in the business and catering service industry for several hotels including Hyatt, Marriott, and Omni Hotel in Savannah, Ga. and Jacksonville, Fla.. During her tenure at the Omni Hotel, she received the Florida Governor's Sterling Award for Excellence and was also named National Director of Convention Sales of the Year. Susan went on to become the Project Director for the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in 1999 and recently retired from this position in December 2010. Susan is survived by her husband of 25 years, Paul A. Mahla; her sister, Ann Dobbs (Dan) of Vonore, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Banks and Keelan Ready of Hernando, Miss., and Paul and Alexa Mahla of Orange Park, Fla.; her niece, Katherine Acosta (Robert) of Fresno, Calif.; nephew, DJ Dobbs (Amanda) of Atlanta, Ga.; an aunt; four great nieces; and four first cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday Oct. 25, 2011, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Fla. Susan will be laid to rest at Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park, Fla. on Tuesday afternoon.