Kathy Mangin

Kathy Mangin, beloved teacher, performer, aunt and sister died tragically in a car accident Friday, March 10, 2023.

Kathy graduated from St. Alphonsus Grade School, Sacred Heart High School in 1975 and Florida State University. 

Kathy's entire life was devoted to God and music from elementary school on. She started her teaching career at St. John's Catholic School in Gulfport before returning to teach in Ocean Springs. She was the music teacher at St. Alphonsus School and music director of St. Alphonsus Church where for over 25 years she directed innumerable Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter programs, chorales and recitals. As director of St. Alphonsus Church Choir, she was responsible for leading their wonderful choir in providing Christmas and Easter Week services along with many, many Sunday services. She also directed The Children's Choir and loved mentoring her students. There is no doubt she is directing an angelic choir now. 

Many families along the Gulf Coast felt like Kathy was family by way of singing for wedding and funeral services for multiple generations of their family. Kathy also performed in community theatre along the Gulf Coast with vocal performances from Nunsense, as the Mother Superior (with clicker) to the Mamas and the Papas. Kathy studied voice at the University of Southern Mississippi under Earl Compton and was a member of Southern Exposure. She transferred to FSU studying musical theatre there and landed the leads in such musicals as Kiss me Kate and The Taming of the Shrew. Even though her musical legacy is great, her most lasting legacy among her family and friends is that of love and her trust in God. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Armella Mangin. She is survived by her sister, Beverly Mangin Ellzey (Chuck); nephews, Andrew and John Ellzey; niece, Rachael Ellzey; and many beloved cousins. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Alphonsus School music program, 504 Jackson Ave., Ocean Springs, MS 39564.

Visitation will be held at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, Porter Avenue in Ocean Springs on Friday, March 17, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Ocean Springs.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Kathy Mangin.