In Memoriam: Margaret Jonnet

On the morning of Nov. 21, Margaret Jonnet came to work even though she was feeling ill. She… On the morning of Nov. 21, Margaret Jonnet came to work even though she was feeling ill. She wanted to make sure the annual Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business’ Thanksgiving luncheon went off without a hitch, said professor Audrey Murrell. Jonnet, 58, went to UPMC Presbyterian hospital and died later that day. Shortly after, John Delaney, the dean of the Katz Graduate School of Business, sent an e-mail to the staff, reminding them that ‘Margie always promoted fellowship and went out of her way to comfort anyone in his or her time of need.’ The luncheon helped students who couldn’t celebrate Thanksgiving with their families to have a good holiday dinner. Jonnet helped to establish the luncheon nearly 10 years ago, said Murrell. ‘There was no better person in a crisis, and she loved managing major events,’ said professor John Camillus. ‘We will miss her terribly.’ Jonnet began working at the Katz Graduate School of Business in 1969 after receiving a secretarial certificate from Berkeley Business School, which is now the Bradford School at Pitt. She had worked with Murrell since 1989, when Murrell arrived at Katz. Jonnet served as a sort of informal mentor for junior faculty while they worked toward chaired professorships in the school, Camillus said. Her work-study students loved her and would frequently come back to visit years later, he added. ‘She always gave 110 percent, particularly to the faculty and students,’ said Murrell. Jonnet devoted her time to helping improve the community and workplace around her. She had served as the leader of the Katz participation team, a group of business school employees who meet to discuss problems in the workplace and coordinate social activities, since 1987. ‘Margie Jonnet transformed the Katz School from an institution to a family,’ said Camillus. She worked to establish ‘Random Act of Kindness Day,’ which encouraged people to help those in need, and she also organized an annual lunch outside of Mervis Hall to celebrate Bill Mazeroski’s home run for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1960 World Series. ‘She cared a lot about the students and the community,’ said Murrell. In addition to her work for the Katz participation team, Jonnet supported several charities. She helped Operation Troop Appreciation, which provides care packages to troops stationed overseas, said Murrell. In 2001, Jonnet received the Chancellor’s Distinguished Service Award for Staff as recognition for her work. Jonnet was involved in a bird club and a cactus club. She helped establish the Greater Pittsburgh Water Garden Society, serving as its first president in 2001. Memorial services for Jonnet were held at the Maurice L. Knee Funeral Home, and a Mass at St. Gerard Majella Church in Penn Hills was held in late November. Jonnet is survived by her sister, Virginia Halleran; her nephew, John Halleran, Jr.; her nieces, Janet Groff, Jennifer Coleman, Amy Sheldon and Laura Meili; and an extended family of grand nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Margaret Jonnet Memorial Fund, S’amp;T Bank, 7660 Saltsburg Road, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15239.