A forever student, talented teacher, caring therapist, devoted community member, servant of our Lord, and beloved wife, mother and “Marmo” – Margo Ann Taviner DeMont, 76, passed away surrounded by her loving family on July 25, 2026 at Hubbard Hill Living Wisdom Center in Elkhart, IN.
Margo was born on September 10, 1949 to Donald and Bertha (Bert) Cormican Taviner in Plymouth. She lived in the Plymouth & South Bend area all her life. Margo married her high school sweetheart D. Eugene (Gene) DeMont and they enjoyed 56 years of marriage until his death in June 2024. Margo cared for Gene tirelessly for years after he suffered a stroke in 2007. It never seemed to be a chore as they continued to travel and enjoy life together with a smile. They raised two daughters who they adored, Gwen DeMont Calvert and Brandi DeMont (Jamie Maure). And their joy was multiplied with the birth of their grandchildren Kristin Calvert and Colin (Alexis) Calvert. Margo is survived by her children and grandchildren as well as her sister Lynn McGowen, brother Dewayne Taviner and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and brother-in-law Ron McGowen.
Margo was a forever student. Starting her education at West School and Plymouth High School. She continued her education at Ancilla College, Indiana University at South Bend - BS in Education, MS in Education, MS in Counseling; Purdue University - PhD – Gerontology; and then University of Notre Dame - Postdoctoral Fellowship National Institutes of Health- Geropsychology.
Margo’s professional journey began as an Elementary Teacher at Argos Community Schools. She then went on to Ancilla College as Director of Admissions & Financial Aid, and Director of Student Services. After receiving her doctorate, she joined Memorial Hospital of South Bend as Director of Senior Services. One of her first community projects was opening and overseeing the Leighton Center for Senior Health. She then became the Executive Director of Community Health Enhancement at Memorial Hospital. She was passionate about the amelioration and prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES); she studied childhood trauma and the resulting PTSD. She trained counselors and mental health therapists in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in an effort to help her beloved community.
Margo received numerous awards and accolades. Two awards which she was most proud of were the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and the Martin Luther King Justice Award/Drum Major Award.
Margo was an avid volunteer and community member-sitting on numerous boards in the community. She treasured the times she volunteered to paint faces and even has her “artwork” on the side of a building downtown South Bend, on the Near West Side. She worked tirelessly to support minority communities and those underserved, always advocating for inclusion, opportunity and positive change. And of course, an advocate of anything “Mayor Pete” was initiating.
Margo loved her family fiercely, with her intuitive wisdom and caring spirit she always helped guide, support, and lead her family to greatness. She loved to travel and made many memories with her dear husband, daughters and grandkids, across the country and abroad.
Visitation: Saturday, August 1, 2026 from 10a – 12p
Services: Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 12p
Memorial Gifts in Lieu of flowers: Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, PO Box 1, Donaldson, IN 46513; Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, 111 Sunnybrook Ct, South Bend, IN 46637
Margo was a gifted intellect and used that talent in many different areas of her life to support her insights of trauma, relationships and brain health. But her true gift was the difference she made in so many lives – her smile, infectious laugh, her cheerful disposition, her encouraging word on paper and in person, her selfless approach to each endeavor she wholeheartedly participated in and reflection of her Lord each and every day of her life. She will be keenly missed but know her legacy continues in the many who were lucky enough to call her family and friend.
