Mitzi Magin
A light that will never cease to shine How do you say goodbye to someone who defined the very essence of grace, courage, charm, intelligence, and beauty? The passing of Ave Maria Law Board of Governors member Mitzi Magin was a deep sorrow and tragic loss personally to me, and to those of us who had the privilege of knowing her. She will remain in our hearts and minds forever. Her devotion to Catholic education in Southwest Florida was legendary. Beginning with establishing the St. Ann School Foundation more than 30 years ago and continuing with her support of St. John Newmann High School and Ave Maria School of Law, Mitzi worked tirelessly to provide scholarships to deserving students, be they elementary, middle school, high school or law school. Thousands of children and young adults were given the opportunity to experience a Catholic education, thanks to her generosity and vision. Mitzi told me many times that education was the most valuable asset one could provide to a child. She remarked that “By offering an education to our young people, we not only help develop mind, body and spirit but also their sense of knowing the true meaning of freedom, social justice, and peace; and that by accomplishing this we plant a ‘seed of hope,’ not only for their future but for all mankind.” What an inspiration she was!
Mitzi Magin with Donna Heiser
For the many social events she attended and hosted on behalf of Catholic education, for her insight and steady counsel to the boards she served on, to the way she lived her faith by loving her God and her church, Mitzi was indeed something special. She will be missed.
Most Reverend Frank J. Dewane, Bishop of the Diocese of Florida in Venice and a fellow member of Ave Maria Law’s Board of Governors, was saddened by her death and noted that “her commitment to Catholic Education inspired others to follow her lead. She was a dear friend who thought of others first.”
Mitzi was a truly beautiful person inside and out. Anyone lucky enough to have known her or have been in her presence will agree that she was a light that will never cease to shine. She became a treasured friend to everyone she met. Mitzi was a superb conversationalist, always asking about our lives, listening to us, informing us and often times challenging us. She had impeccable taste and an impressive appreciation of modern art. How she loved to entertain and to be entertained! Her zest for life was indeed, contagious.
An example of the impact of her philanthropy can be found on the Naples campus of St. John Neumann Catholic High School where a 35-foot Celtic Cross was dedicated in her honor in 2010.
Born in Chicago and raised in the San Francisco area, Mitzi was a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. She was married to James F. Magin for fifty years until his passing in 2012. They resided in Chicago for 24 years, where Mitzi was actively involved in numerous charities, and in 1987 the couple moved to Naples. In addition to her philanthropy to benefit Catholic education, Mitzi‘s charitable work included St. Ann Church, The Blessed Edmond Rice School of Pastoral Ministry, Catholic Charities, Professional Givers Anonymous, Naples Community Hospital and NCH Healthcare Foundation.
Mitzi was preceded in death by her husband as well as her brother, G. Stuart Spence Jr. She is survived by her stepmother, Grace Spence of San Francisco, her brother, Richard Spence (Leanne) of Wilsonville, Oregon, her sister-in-law, Carol L. Spence, of Montecito, California; and nieces and nephews. A few years ago, when interviewing her for an article in the Advocate, I asked Mitzi what advice she would share with the young men and women at Ave Maria Law. Without hesitation, she said that “it is vitally important for our future lawyers to be advocates of the law and to uphold it. We are facing tremendous challenges in our country and the need for moral lawyers who will advocate for traditional values, rather than obstructionists who seek to undermine our government, has never been more important or essential.” Those words are even more relevant today. Rest in peace, Mitzi. Your light will never cease to shine for us. – Donna C. Heiser
Advocate | 2020
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