Margaret Anns Place

Mission and History Our Mission:

Providing support, education, and awareness for children and their families who are grieving a death.

Upon the sudden death of their daughter, MargaretAnn, the Smith-Jones family found there were support
services in place for them as parents but none available for their son, Jared.

After discovering centers for grieving children across the nation, MargaretAnn’s Place was
established in 1998 as the first center for grieving children in the state of Wisconsin.

At present, there are over 300 centers for grieving children in the United States and Canada.
MargaretAnn’s Place is named in honor of MargaretAnn Smith-Jones who died in 1997 at the age of 20 months.

She is survived by her siblings, Jared, Julia, and Emma, her namesake, MargaretAnn Stewart, and an extended family that reaches far into the community.

MargaretAnn’s Place is a tribute to children and families who will be forever changed and challenged by the death of their loved ones.

All members of the dedicated staff and board have worked tirelessly to provide an organization that helps children and their families cope with the death of a significant person.
From family Peer Support/Education groups to school programs, MargaretAnn’s Place makes every effort to serve the local community.

MargaretAnn’s Place has been fortunate to be recognized by the Milwaukee County Executive’s office with the
“Rebuilding Lives Service Award” and by the Racine/Kenosha Head Start Program with the “Sky’s the Limit” award.

One of the most important aspects of my healing process is to reach out to others of like in kind.

Debra Smith Anderson the Founder of Margaret Ann's Place has been my friend from the start of my new journey of what life is like after loosing a child.

On a more Personal Note:

Debra Smith Anderson the Founder of Margaret Ann's Place has been my friend from the start of my new journey of what life is like after loosing a child. Without her persistence, hopes for her cheer leading skills, as well as her wealth of knowledge through her own experience.  I process each moment moving on day by day, good or bad, happy or sad my new life is my new beginning learning to live again after the death of my son Jon.