Remembering a World-Class Collector

Margaret Horner Feit, an Atlanta native, passed away peacefully on April 4, 2011 after suffering a brain hemorrhage while watching the Phillies play the Astros in their season opener.  She was 66 years old.  Born Margaret May Horner on May 23, 1945 in Atlanta, of Jack and Alice Horner, Margaret was a lively child who enjoyed music, animals and watching and playing sports.  She had two children, David and Shelley in the 1960’s who lived near their mother in Atlanta.

Margaret was an innovative businesswoman and owned Jackson Associates, a local data collection firm, from 1983 to 2006.  During her career, she served as the President of the Atlanta Southeast Chapter of the Marketing Research Association, and worked on various committees dedicated to promoting the marketing research industry.  Margaret was a true visionary who wasn’t afraid to take a risk.  In 1983, she bought Jackson Associates from the previous owner, Marilyn F. Jackson.  In 1992, she opened the largest focus facility in Atlanta near Perimeter Mall.  Over the next 15 years, Margaret transformed Jackson Associates into a multimillion dollar business.  She retired in 2006, after establishing herself in the marketing research industry as an entrepreneurial icon. Margaret mentored many young researchers who still impact the marketing research industry today.

She was passionate about her family, baseball and Christmas. If Margaret wasn’t putting up a tree, or decorating her home with some of her famous glass ornaments, you could find her in the first row, third base side at Turner Field. She had a wicked sense of humor and was generous to a fault.  There were four sporting events she wanted to attend during her lifetime — the Olympics, the Final Four, a Super Bowl and a World Series. She managed to do all four as well as see the Braves win a World Series in 1995.

She is survived by her husband Mark, her son David Smith, his wife Sarah, David’s son Tyler and step-children Ryan and Autumn; her daughter Shelley Smith Avant, and her husband Ken and their three children, Alison, Stephen and Kevin; her sister Anne Horner and partner, Rosie Willmot; and her beloved cats, Bonny and Clyde.

Family and friends will celebrate Margaret’s extraordinary life at the Olgethorpe Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 3 pm.

Oglethorpe Presbyterian Church
3016 Lanier Drive Northeast
Atlanta, GA 30319-2768
404- 233-5469

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Margaret’s memorial to one of these organizations:

Atlanta Braves Foundation
755 Hank Aaron Drive
Atlanta, GA 30315

Altus Hospice Foundation1 Dunwoody Park, Suite 120
Atlanta, GA 30338
770-673-0011
www.altushospicefoundation.com

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America
4742 N. 24th St., Suite 400
Phoenix, AZ 85016-4862
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. MST
www.wish.org
800-722-WISH (9474)

Please reference Margaret Feit’s name in the memo section of your check or online donation.

If you would like to send a condolence card to the family, please use the contact form above to that I may send the address privately.