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Margaret Hart Obituary


Margaret Kristine "Kris" Hart, 48, passed away on Tuesday, the 17th of September, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia, surrounded by her family. Kris Hart was the rarest of gems. She was an exceptional mother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin, friend, business executive and lover of life- balancing and alternating among all roles with seeming effortlessness. Kris was born in College Park, Georgia and attended Milton High School in Alpharetta, GA before heading to Auburn University where she earned a BA in Economics. She received her MBA in Marketing from Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management in 1992 and went on to a brilliant marketing and branding career that she began in Dallas as a Senior Analyst in Domestic Yield Management at American Airlines. Kris eventually headed to the west coast to become Director of Global Brand Strategy at Intel in Palo Alto. A move back to Atlanta in 2002 took her to the Coca-Cola Company where she became Group Lead for Innovation. When the career of her former husband, Heath Daughtrey, led them to Las Vegas in '04 Kris became Vice President of Brand Management at Harrah's Entertainment. In October 2007 an article in Advertising Age highlighted Kris' oversight of the historic $5 billion merger of Harrah's and Caesars, which created the world's largest casino company. Kris developed innovative new data-based non-gaming revenue streams for the company like fine dining and a luxury spa, areas in which Kris had amassed considerable personal experience. She became a fashion icon around the halls and properties of Harrah's, sporting her ever-stylish clothes, non-negotiable high heels and bald head. In May of '04 they welcomed sweet Hudson and then twins Cooper and Jack in March of 2007. From the moment they entered her life, those boys were the center of her world. In October of 2007, Kris was diagnosed with Stage 2 triple negative breast cancer. She fought it head on and continued to be a completely devoted mother to a four-year-old and seven-month-old twins while excelling in her full time, demanding career. In October 2008, a cover profile of her in Pink Magazine quoted her as saying, "You can choose to be a victim, or to frame things in a more positive way: 'So this has happened; let's all get the facts and fight it.' That's natural for me." Indeed it was. With Kris' innate winning attitude, calm steadiness and unflagging perseverance, she beat the cancer into remission for several years. Kris and the boys moved back home to Atlanta in 2009 where she reveled in creating their warm and gracious home, playing tennis with her dearly loved women's tennis group and spending time with her cadre of good friends and her adored parents. Her Aunt Bev said "Kris and Barbara were the very best of friends and she and her Dad shared that strategic focus and solid business acumen. They spoke the same language." Kris always admired and was so proud of her younger brother Kevin for following his passion and forging a life in Vail, CO where he met his wife Heidi, a professional snowboard instructor. Everyone who was blessed to spend time around her knew Kris' dry wit, self-deprecation and infectious laughter. In addition to time with her family and friends, Kris loved music, dancing, travel, elegant but edgy design, collecting contemporary art and reading. Kris had just started a new job she was so excited about as Vice President of Product Strategy for Manheim in Atlanta. In late October of 2012, a nagging leg pain led to the devastating discovery that the cancer had returned. She again fought it with her same signature blend of tenacity, pragmatism, ingenuity and sheer will to prevail. Tragically, this time the cancer had gotten too much of a head start. Up until the very end, Kris never uttered one word of complaint and was her same vibrant, inspiring self, charging full throttle toward the exciting life she had planned for her and her cherished boys. Kris is survived by her sons, Hudson (9) and twins Cooper and Jack (6); her parents, Bob and Barbara Hart of Roswell, GA; her brother and sister-in-law, Kevin and Heidi Hart of Vail, CO; her aunt and uncle, Beverly and Jack Nichols of Columbia, SC; her cousin and her husband, Cyndi and Kenneth Long and Cyndi's children Gillis and Cross Coleman all of Columbia, SC. The family would like to thank Marmis Diaz Torres for her unfailing love and devotion to Kris, Hudson, Cooper and Jack over the last few years. A memorial service will be held for Kris at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 28 at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church. Children are most welcome to attend. The family will gather at a later date to honor Kris' wishes that her ashes be spread over her beloved Big Sur, California. Roswell Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. For those desiring, the family would appreciate contributions be made in her name to Kris' favorite charity, Press on to CURE Childhood Cancer (www.pressonfund.org Please select "Press On Fund" in the Program Area of the website) or the charity of your choice.

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sep. 22, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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Kris was a beloved friend, confidante and loving friend to me. I miss her dearly. Our tennis team celebrates her regularly as she was always up for fun. She will always be remembered and regarded as someone very special to so many.

Jennifer Eastman

September 16, 2020

Kris was a close friend at Vanderbilt along with Emily and Andrew. I loved being around her because of her positive spirit and easy laugh. She will be missed greatly....

Ian Haldimann

Friend

September 16, 2020

I knew Kris at Auburn in the 80's. She was beautiful and fun. Kris was a good friend, a good tennis player, and she was admired by everyone that made her acquaintance. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.

Bill Roberts

April 21, 2014

I attended Vanderbilt with Kris and was lucky enough to have known her for the 2 years we were there. You could tell then she was a special person and it's no surprise she accomplished so much. We'll all miss her. My deepest sympathies to her family.

Ian Haldimann

December 18, 2013

We were close with Kris and Heath in Las Vegas and shared holidays and fun times together. She will never be forgotten within our family.

Brad Warga

September 27, 2013

Far too soon, a beautiful spirit is gone. We offer our prayer that the happy memories you have will sustain you in your grief.
The Goines Family

September 26, 2013

Kris and I were friends and sorority sisters at Auburn University in the 80's....she will always be remembered with tenancity, a contagious smile and a joyful laugh. What a wonderful tribute to a magnificent friend, mother and caring soul on this earth. I pray her children will soar .....

Wendy Groover

September 24, 2013

I only knew Kris for a short while when she was at Manheim but she has left an impression on me. What a brave and inspiring soul. My prayers go to her family.

Tricia Steele

September 24, 2013

May God bless and keep her

Ed Rice

September 24, 2013

I was blessed enough to know Kris in High School....she was a beautiful and graceful lady, inside and out. I will be saying prayers for the family, especially her children.

Jayme Farmer-Vogl

September 23, 2013

I was a Phi Mu with Kris at Auburn. I remember her big spontaneous laugh and beautiful smile well. I am deeply saddened by her loss and my prayers are with her family--particularly her precious sons.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

Kathryn Gage

September 23, 2013

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Kim Chester

September 23, 2013

Such a beautifully written tribute to Kris. I will forever be inspired by her tenacity and will to push through the most difficult of times, as well as her ability to live in the moment and have a great time. We love her and miss her so much already.

September 23, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Eg

September 22, 2013

With deepest sympathy to the Hart family during your time of grief...God is for you a "refuge and strength," A help that is there to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with "peace and comfort" to endure the days ahead...(Psalm 62:8).

September 22, 2013

In the short time I knew Kris at Manheim, her passion for her work, sense of humor, and positive outlook in the face of adversity made quite an impression on me. Not to mention her fantastic sense of style! I will miss her. Many thoughts and prayers to her parents, boys, and all who loved her.

Annie Duguid

September 22, 2013

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Ps. 34:18 ~ Kim

September 22, 2013

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