Jill Mabley: Meaningful Music, Medicine, and More
Dr. Jill Mabley
Music, passion, and service have defined Dr. Jill Mabley’s life since childhood. Her grandmother was a pianist in the Circuit Chautauqua movement through the 1920s and two of her uncles were classical singers. Mabley was drawn to folk music during her early years, but while in college, she experienced the “revelation” of hearing opera superstars Jussi Björling and Robert Merrill on the radio in George Bizet’s famous Pearlfishers duet. The power and beauty of their voices stirred Jill’s heart and inspired her lifelong love of opera.
Following her medical training, Mabley dove into her professional career as an ER doctor in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Dedicated to service, instead of vacationing during the slower months, Jill joined medical mission trips to serve communities in South America, Southeast Asia, and Central America.
When Dr. Mabley relocated to Atlanta in 1997 for a position at Northside Hospital, she wasted no time in supporting The Atlanta Opera with her attendance and donations. In 2001, her life took another unanticipated turn: “When the tragic events of 9/11 happened, I just felt like my calling was not in the private sector.” She quit her job and joined the Cherokee County Fire & Emergency Services as their medical director, a position she held for twenty-two years. The County Board of Commissioners recently honored her extraordinary service by naming the EMS Wing Dedicated in her honor.
Jill Mabley’s relentless commitment to serving others extends across multiple charities she holds dear. Following her young nephew’s untimely death, Mabley rewrote her will to ensure all her assets were left to nonprofits, including her local animal shelter and The Atlanta Opera. When asked what she loved most about opera, Jill cited “the power of the music—not just the singers, but also the orchestra. Then you add the costumes, lights, dancing, and staging. It offers everything and nourishes my spirit.” She calls the Opera’s digital broadcasts “a dream come true” for her to enjoy repeatedly. By remembering The Atlanta Opera in her will, Mabley finds satisfaction in knowing her planned gift sustains her dream to bring the timeless beauty of opera to future generations.
To learn how to join Jill Mabley in the Opera’s Legacy Society, contact Jonathan Blalock at 336-512-6832 or jblalock@atlantaopera.org.
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