Obituary of June Magee
July 27, 1927 – September 30, 2020 June Elizabeth Oliver was born July 27, 1927 at the Ottawa Civic Hospital to Ada Margaret and Walter Diamond Oliver. Mom was the oldest of three sisters. (Lois in Ottawa, Ontario and Helen (Carl) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) Mom’s first jobs as a high school student were on Saturdays, where she worked at Kresgie’s and Zellers, and then weekdays after school at McMillan’s Book Binding Factory from 4 – 6 pm. In her grade 13 year, she took a business management course on the side, which enabled her to get employment at the Department of Ammunitions and Supplies and then later with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company until 1950. On February 8, 1947 Mom married Robert Kyle Magee. Together they were very involved in the church where mom played the piano, dad led the congregational singing and they both sang in the choir as well. They raised four children, Betty Lynne (Chuck) Fehr; Jim (Donna); Bobby deceased in 2005; and Rosemary (Gordon) Fast. Mom was also blessed with 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren whom she loved dearly. Mom was very talented and diversified. She was an excellent seamstress, baker and cook. She also sang in a trio and played piano for other trios and quartets. Once all of us kids were in school, mom worked as a Fuller Brush salesperson, and then with The Ottawa Citizen newspaper, where she worked until she and dad moved to Waldheim in 1976. During these years she also taught Sunday school class and played the piano at The Metropolitan Bible Church in Ottawa, where they attended. After moving to Waldheim Mom worked for Mennonite Fire Insurance for John Andres and later helped dad wrapping meat at the Magee’s Shop Rite store which the family owned for 13 years. On weekends and during their retirement years Mom and Dad worked 14 years with Global Outreach … promoting the film, Terms of Surrender …and then singing and playing together, encouraging pastors and congregations. They moved to Moose Jaw where they lived until dad’s passing in 2003. From there, mom moved to Bethany Manor in Saskatoon where she stayed until 2018. Mom often played the piano for the Sunday Services and Birthday celebrations. She also loved reading and wrote many Christian devotionals/articles for the local paper at Bethany Manor. During this time Mom was struck with cancer and had a mastectomy. She also had heart problems and had two pacemakers over a 10 year period. In 2018, Jim and Donna returned to Waldheim and moved mom from Bethany Manor to the New Horizons Lodge in Waldheim. Unfortunately Mom’s health deteriorated and her cancer returned to the point that she was hospitalized and then later admitted to the Rosthern Nursing Home. Mom loved the care and attention she received there and the close friendships she was able to renew with former friends and residents of Waldheim who were also in the home. Mom was a loving caring person who always chose to see the cup “half full”… even in her weakening days mom emphasized how blessed and thankful she was for God’s blessings in her life and the love of her family. Mom was a prayer warrior and prayed daily for us kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. Mom will be missed dearly but we are so thankful for the Christian heritage and legacy she has left us. We love you mom and we will see you again one day soon. There will be a private family funeral and burial at the Salem Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Funk’s Funeral Home, Rosthern, SK.