Slain Arlington Hts. woman recalled as blithe spirit

Dana Mangi's friends and family filled an Arlington Heights church Friday to remember the woman who made others happy.

There were moments of laughter at the tear-filled funeral, such as when the lights went out as Mangi's spirit was being remembered.

The big question at St. James Church was why the 25-year-old Prospect High School graduate was killed at such a young age.

Police are still unable to answer that question, with a spokesman for the Chicago department saying there is no new information on the case.

Patrick Ford, 25, of 1043 W. Grace St., has confessed to the stabbing death, authorities said. He called police to his apartment around 5:30 a.m. Sunday, where Mangi's body was found.

Ford himself had cut wounds when he was arrested. Police said the two knew each other, but they had no motive for the crime.

Lisa Church met Mangi at the Camp McDonald Animal Clinic, where she worked in high school.

"From day one, she was always helpful and had a great outlook on life," Church said in an e-mail.

Sarah, Mangi's sister, was quoted at the service by the priest as telling others that she remembered Dana as "the one who made us laugh."

Church agreed, saying she found humor in hard situations at the animal clinic.

"I noticed right from the start that she was going to go places in her life and it was going to involve caring for animals," Church said.

Mangi aspired to be a veterinarian and was known to dress her dog Moose in elaborate costumes, another memory that brought knowing smiles and laughter Friday to those who knew her.

Mangi graduated from Prospect in 2000 and then from Loyola University in Chicago in 2004.

Mangi is also survived by her parents Joseph and Barbara, who live in Arlington Heights.

The family is asking, in lieu of flowers, for memorials to the Anti-Cruelty Society, 157 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, 60610, or Susan B. Komen for the Cure, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX, 75244.