Like many families around the country, Margaret Nicastro of Sharon is mourning the loss of her granddaughter, who died in the Rhode Island nightclub fire Feb. 20.

Mrs. Nicastro learned last week that her granddaughter, Donna Mitchell, 29, of Fall River, Mass., was among the 98 who died in the fire at The Station in West Warwick, R.I.

Initially, like so many others, she was considered missing but was found with her purse early last week, Mrs. Nicastro said.

A funeral service was held in Massachusetts on Friday. Mrs. Nicastro said her daughter, Joanne Mitchell, told her that people were lined up around the block Thursday for the calling hours. The church was packed for the funeral service and police blocked the streets because of the number of people who attended, she said.

Mrs. Nicastro, who was not able to attend the service, said her daughter has had a lot of support.

"Nobody's left her side," she said. Mrs. Mitchell even got a call from Sen. Edward Kennedy, who offered his condolences, Mrs. Nicastro said.

Mrs. Nicastro said she has had a lot of local support. "I want to thank all of my friends, family and the churches for their prayers for me and my family," she said.

Ms. Mitchell had two daughters, ages 9 and 11. Her fiancé, Rob, was with her at the concert but escaped the fire. Mrs. Nicastro said the last news she heard was that he was conscious and doing better.

Funeral services were held Sunday for Sharon native and Brookfield High School graduate Ty Longley, who also died in the fire. Longley was a member of Jack Russell's Great White, the band that was playing at the club when the fire began. Investigators suspect the band's pyrotechnics ignited soundproofing foam.