Obituary of Margaret Mitchell

Margaret Mitchell, 71, well-known advocate for families of homicide victims in Northeast FL, passed away suddenly Friday, Dec. 18, while visiting her daughter in Glenwood, Arkansas. She grew up in Baton Rouge, LA, graduated from Baton Rouge High School, and studied Nursing at Louisiana State University. Margaret is predeceased by her parents, Gaynell and Angelo Thomas, "A.T." Montagnino, and her first-born son, Jeff. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Glen, children: Glenna Wright, Melissa, Greg and his wife, Kari, brothers: Tom and Gordy Montagnino; sister-in-law, Barbara; nieces and nephews: Michelle (DJ), John (Laura), Angela (Todd), Chris (Cindy), Jami (Morgan) and Jodi, along with their children: Thomas, Brian, AJ, William, Michael, and Ashton, and great nephew, Liam. She also leaves a multitude of associates and victim survivors, who have been impacted by her presence. Following Glen's graduation from LSU in1966, the Mitchell's moved to Memphis, TN to begin his career in urban planning, and they were lured to Florida in 68 and to Jacksonville in 69. Margaret enjoyed a life-long passion of theatrical dance, as she began taking classes and performing at age 3, and continued well into her adult life, when, after moving to Jacksonville in 1969, she also became a teacher and mentor to a multitude of young dancers, and established Center Stage Conservatory of Dance in 1980. The tragic loss of her son Jeff in 1993 dramatically changed the direction of her life. Margaret was instrumental in founding The Jeff Mitchell Foundation in 1996, focused on serving the youth of Jacksonville, as well as the development of Unity Plaza, at Terry Parker High School, a memorial to young victims of homicide, and in 1998 co-founded Compassionate Families, Inc., providing grief recovery and support services to families of homicide victims in Northeast Florida. She led the operations at Compassionate Families through the first 13 years, until retiring in 2011. During that period, she and Compassionate Families were recognized for outstanding services to the community. The State Attorneys Office presented Compassionate Families with the Special Community Service Award in 2000. Margaret was also cited as the Outstanding Victim Advocate by The Mayor's Victim Assistance Advisory Council, and she shared the Liberty Bell Award with her husband, presented by The Jacksonville bar Association. Her greatest joys were her children and being among family and friends. She always looked forward to the annual gatherings at Sanibel Island and Navarre Beach. She also embraced the family tradition of allegiance to LSU, and was an avid fan of the University and its sports program.

Friends will be received on Sunday, Dec. 27, from 5:30-7:30pm at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville FL 32211. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Dec. 28, 11:00am at Christ The King Catholic Church, 472 Arlington Road, Jacksonville, FL 32211. Following internment at Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery, all are welcome to return to the Parish Hall at Christ The King for a reception and repast.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that Margaret's memory is honored by memorial donations to Compassionate families, 126 W. Adams St, Suite 502, Jacksonville, FL 42202.