Mary Herron, who shaped Coronado's parks and public buildings during two terms as mayor, died Sept. 21 at age 90.
Herron served on the Coronado City Council for 10 years beginning in 1978, then won election as mayor in 1988 and completed her second term in 1996, according to an obituary published in the Coronado Eagle & Journal.
Her proudest accomplishments as mayor, the obituary said, included the creation of Tidelands Park, enhancements to Glorietta Bay Park, construction of public restrooms at Coronado's beaches and a new police headquarters. She also oversaw the refurbishment of a historic theater where The Lamb's Players took up residence and an upgrade of the public services yard.
As mayor she represented Coronado in the League of California Cities, the San Diego Association of Governments and the South Bay Mayors, working on beautification of the Silver Strand and an "around the bay" bike path.
Capt. Don Steuer, commanding officer of Naval Air Station North Island in 1996, said at the time that Herron "understood the operational requirements of the base" and always "had the concerns of the community in mind," according to the obituary.
Born Mary Claudine Deeter on July 2, 1936, in Omaha, Nebraska, she grew up between Omaha and Denver. She met Kenneth Herron at Colorado State University, where she studied humanities and he attended veterinary school. They married and moved to California in 1957.
The Herrons settled in Coronado in 1971. While Kenneth built his veterinary practice, Mary taught school and raised their two children, April and Jon. She became president of the Junior League of San Diego, an experience she later credited with preparing her for public service.
Her first government role came in 1974, when she was appointed to the Coronado Recreation Commission. She chaired the committee that proposed and built a public pool dedicated to diving and water polo.
After leaving office, Herron stayed active in the region's nonprofit world. She served on the boards of the Sharp Hospital Foundation and The Parker Foundation, which provides grants to San Diego-area charities. She also became director of San Diego Grant-makers and chaired its Homeless Working Group.
Herron was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth. She is survived by daughter April, son Jon, three granddaughters and great-grandson Vinicius Ken.
