Margaret J. Modine

TUCSON, ARIZ. - Margaret J. Modine died peacefully Sunday, September 18, 2011. Margaret was born November 23, 1917, in Chicago, Ill. She was raised in Racine, where her father, Arthur B. Modine, founded Modine Manufacturing Company. She graduated from Kemper Hall High School in Kenosha in 1935 and attended Smith College before her marriage to John B. Hand of Racine in 1937. Following their divorce, she moved with their three children to Tucson, Ariz. in 1947. She married Ross A. Gomez, a Professor of Political Science at the University of Arizona, in 1952; he died in 1988 in Tucson, Ariz. Margaret's contributions to philanthropic causes in Tucson, Ariz. are numerous. As a member of St. Michael's Church in the 1960's, she became actively involved with outreach services to the migrant worker community in Marana, Ariz. In the late 1960's, she was one of the founders of Holy Cross House, dedicated to the financial, educational, and community needs of the South Park area of Tucson, Ariz. She returned to Smith College in 1977 as part of the Ada Comstock program, which encourages older students to return and complete their degrees, and obtained her degree in 1980. Margaret was a frequent and generous contributor to St. Michael's Parish School. She was one of three co-founders of St. Gregory School, a private college preparatory school in Tucson, Ariz., and contributed greatly to the school's educational goals over the years. For the last 35 years, she had spent summers at the family's property on Lake Owen near Cable, where she focused on preserving the home built by her father in 1931, and enhancing the property for the enjoyment of her children and grandchildren. Throughout her life, Margaret had a great interest in theatre --- especially marionettes and puppets. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren most remember the marionette stage, which has occupied a prominent place in her living room in Tucson, Ariz. for many years. In 1986, Margaret received the Jefferson Award for Community Service for her many charitable endeavors. Her family continues to be especially proud of all she has done for others. She is survived by her sister, Julie Modine Woodrow of Tucson, Ariz. and California; sons, John B. Hand of Tucson, Ariz. and Racine and Peter B. Hand of Tucson, Ariz.; her daughter, Deborah Hand Donovan of La Veta, Colo.; seven grandchildren; and eight great- grandchildren. A Memorial service is planned for 1:30 p.m. Friday, October 21, 2011, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Seventh and Main, in Racine, followed by interment at West Lawn Memorial Park. The family suggests that memorial gifts be directed to the Cable Natural History Museum, P.O. Box 416, Cable, Wis. 54821; or the Chequamegon Children's Theater Limited, P.O. Box 343, Cable, Wis. 54821.