Margaret Mitchell Hastings

Margaret 'Pat' Mitchell Hastings left this life on Christmas Day 2017 surrounded by family. She fought challenges to her health for over a decade with the same dedication she put into everything in her life.
Born February 26, 1937 in Delaware County, PA, Margaret received her Bachelors of Music from Wellesley College in 1958, Masters in Education from National Louis University in 1972, and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Northwestern University in 1975.
Margaret dedicated her life to the study of developmental disabilities, mental health, and aging, impacting innumerable members of her community and country with her efforts in education, social work, public policy legislation, and aging. She was well known by all with whom she worked as a thought leader who inspired others with her innovative and forward thinking solutions.
Highlights of Margaret's professional life include serving as the Director of the Center for Learning and on the Graduate Faculty at National College from 1971-1976, and as Executive Director of the Illinois Commission on Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities from 1976-1985. Following that she founded and directed the dual-degree MPH/MBA program at the University of Illinois at Chicago while a Professor of Health Resources Management from 1986-1993. In 1995 and again in 2005 she represented the Illinois area at the decennial White House Conference on aging held in Washington DC. Later she was a visiting Professor at multiple Universities and led the Policy and Management Institute, a consulting firm which focused on helping organizations improve their practices in the fields of mental health and aging.
Beyond her professional career, Margaret's biggest passion was music. She loved playing, composing, performing and listening to music. She was an expert pianist with perfect pitch and the ability to play what was in her head in any key. She delighted in volunteering regularly to assist in various community and school programs. She also was a devoted Member of the Ravinia Women's Board for over 40 years. Her other passion was discussion groups at Winnetka Congregational Church and Northwestern University.
Margaret is survived by her husband, Robert A. Hastings, who she met during her first year in college and married right after graduation nearly 60 years ago. She is also survived by two children, William H. Hastings and M. Margaret 'Margo' Georgiadis, six grandchildren, as well as her brothers-in-law Adrian C. Melissinos and John H. Hastings, sister-in-law Mary Sue Bohle, and seven nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Celebration of Life Service: will be announced at a later date.
Interment: is private in the Winnetka Congregational Churchyard
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:
Winnetka Congregational Church 725 Pine Street Winnetka, IL 60093
Info: www.donnellanfuneral.com or (847) 675-1990.