Kathryn Rose Allan Magee

Kathryn Rose Allan Magee January 27, 1919 to November 4, 2012 Kathryn had a bright mind and a generous spirit. She gave to many charities for the disadvantaged, and had a special empathy for those who were marginalized. She was a supporter of wildlife preservation. Kathryn loved her family. She was interested in current events, was a gifted letter writer, a great conversationalist, and had a marvelous sense of humor. We will miss her so much. Kathryn was born in Seattle, to Celestine and George Allan. She grew up on a hill in West Seattle above Southern Beach Drive with an uncluttered view of Puget Sound, Blake Island and the Olympic Mountains. This proximity to the beauty of the Northwest inspired her love of nature and her enthusiasm for summer swimming. Kathryn attended West Seattle High School, then earned a bachelor’s degree in English at the University of Washington, an experience that made her a lifelong admirer of Shakespeare’s works. During summers and winter weekends Kathryn waitressed at Mount Rainier’s Paradise Inn. In 1941 she and John B. Magee Jr., also of Seattle, married and moved to Islington, Massachusetts, near Cambridge, where Kathryn worked with a youth group at a community church while John pursued graduate studies. They returned to Seattle in 1943, and Kathryn worked with youth at the University Methodist Temple, where John was an assistant pastor. A year later their first child, John, was born. In 1945, they moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where Kathryn administered employment tests for returning veterans who were looking for jobs, while John taught at Morningside College. Their second child, Greg, was born in Sioux City in 1947. That same year they made their final move to Tacoma where John began teaching at what was then the College of Puget Sound, CPS. Kathryn taught at Pacific Lutheran College for two years and for one year at CPS. While in Tacoma, two more children arrived, Mary in 1949, and Emma in 1952. While raising her children, Kathryn worked as a librarian at the McCormick Branch Library and later at the Tacoma General Hospital School of Nursing. For a period of time, Kathryn was an active church member at the United Methodist Church in Gig Harbor, where John served as their pastor. It was Kathryn’s idea to buy a boat and this gave the family many fond memories of their adventures on Puget Sound and in the San Juan Islands. In 1966 John and Kathryn were selected along with a colleague to accompany a group of students on the first University of Puget Sound Semester Abroad to Vienna, Austria. Kathryn enjoyed the students and many cultural experiences during their visit in Europe, especially her interactions with local merchants in Vienna. After their return, the family purchased a vacation cabin at Salmon Beach on the shores of the Tacoma Narrows. Kathryn loved spending time kayaking, and taking in the ever changing views of the water. She amazed everyone by plunging into those chilly waters, harkening back to her youth in Seattle. During their many years of association with the University of Puget Sound, Kathryn and John enjoyed numerous social and cultural activities with friends and colleagues. They were founding members of the Eliot Club. She was a member of PEO, an international philanthropic educational organization. Her husband, John preceded her in death. She is survived by her four children: John, his wife Susan, granddaughter Elizabeth, her husband Alex and great granddaughter Natalia; Greg, his wife Nancy, grandchildren Gregory, Liza, her husband Patrick, and Wesley; Mary Magee, her husband Ken and grandson Zachary; Emma Ozaki, her husband Reid. Over the last several years Kathryn resided at an assisted living facility, a nursing home, and finally at an adult family home. Many thanks go to all those who helped her, including Franciscan Hospice. Special gratitude goes to the staff of Family First Adult Family Homes in Gig Harbor for their unstinting and compassionate care, and their genuine fondness for Kathryn. Donations may be made to Tacoma’s YWCA Women’s Shelter. A memorial reception will be held on Saturday December 15, 2012 at the University of Puget Sound Trimble Hall Forum at 2:00 pm. Directions to Kathryn Magee's Memorial Service on Saturday, December 15th at 2:00pm. in Trimble Hall Forum on the University of Puget Sound Campus Here is the link to the UPS campus map. The streets that border the campus are Union on the west and Lawrence on the east, 18th Street on the North and 11th Street on the south. Trimble Hall Forum is a large room in the Trimble Hall dormitory, #45 on the map. Trimble is located on the east side of campus across from the student union building, #51. It probably makes most sense to enter from the south and turn north on Lawrence street. You may park on the street or in the adjacent parking lot. The student union has a round addition that you can see on the map. It is called the Rotunda. From the Rotunda walk up the path to the left of the trees headed west. Trimble Hall will be on your left with steps leading up to the building. If you approach from the north it is not a through street so you may park on the street, and follow the rest of the directions. http://www.pugetsound.edu/about/campus--the-northwest/campus-map/ Please share memories and condolences at www.edwardsmemorial.com