Submitted by: Dan Rich

Margaret Giantomaso

Nov. 6, 1906 - Dec. 31, 2006

South Bend Tribune 1/2/2007

SOUTH BEND - Margaret (Mitchell) Giantomaso, 100, died peacefully at St. Paul's Retirement Community on Sunday, December 31, with family at her side. Margaret was born Immacolata Cardone in San Giorgio, La Molare, Provegia de Benevento, Italy, to Michaelangelo and Maria Vicario Cardone. San Giorgio is a small mountain village North and East of Naples. Margaret resided in Italy until the age of 14 when she and her mother traveled to the United States to be reunited with her father and two older siblings. Ellis Island records show that Immacolata (Margaret) arrived for processing on December 19, 1920, having traveled in "steerage" from the Port of Napoli on the Re d'Italia. The reunited family then settled in South Bend, IN, where Margaret spent the remaining 86 years of her life. In South Bend, Margaret began a life punctuated by perseverance, continuous hard work and a devotion to family, faith, church, and Notre Dame.

Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, siblings, including Marguarite (Sorroco) Ranieri of South Bend, who also lived beyond 100 years of age; husbands, William A. Mitchell and Pasquale “Pat” Giantomaso of South Bend, and sadly, all three of her children, Lucille Baele (1987), Thelma Dragovich (2002) and William A. Mitchell II (2002), all of South Bend.

Margaret continued her education in South Bend, learning to speak and write in English. At the same time, began work at the age of 14, and continued to work there for over 20 years, through the end of World War II. During these years, three children, Lucille, Thelma T., and William II, were born to Margaret. Margaret and William were married at St. Stanislaus Church, South Bend.

In 1940, the family purchased their home at 616 N. St. Peter St., where they raised their family, and Margaret remained for 63 years. In this home, Margaret, along with her husband, William, and later, Pat, boarded many Notre Dame students. Over these years, Margaret provided these young men with the care and concern she had for her own children, as well as many wonderful Italian meals. Often, after graduating, students returned to visit Margaret during their trips to South Bend and she is fondly remembered by many. Margaret continued to work throughout most of her life, working for many years in the Italian Village Restaurant owned by husband Pat.

Margaret's children married and she was blessed with many grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren fondly remember many gatherings at Grandma's and enjoyed many wonderful meals and fun times cooking in the kitchen and playing in her always thriving gardens.

Margaret's final years were spent at St. Paul's Retirement Center in the Assisted Living and Health Care Centers, where she received gentle and loving care. Special thanks to the many caregivers on the Third Floor Heatlhcare Center, who often fondly referred to her as "Mama" from which Margaret took great delight. Many times the words of the Notre Dame fight song could be heard, sung by staff members, in order to bring a smile to Margaret's face.

Margaret is survived by son-in-law, John Dragovich, and daughter-in-law, Clara Mitchell; a number of nieces and nephews; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph Church, 211 N. St. Louis Blvd., South Bend, IN 46617, St. Paul's Healthcare Center, 3602 S. Ironwood, South Bend, IN 46614, or to Southern Care Hospice, 310 West McKinley, Ste. 340, Mishawaka, IN 46545. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, January 3, 2007, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Bend, at 11 a.m. Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the church prior to services. Arrangements are being handled by the McGann Hay University Chapel.