MAGEE, OPAL
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Opal Magee, wife of the late Avard Magee of Fairville, NB announce her passing on November 14, 2015 at the Church of St. John and St. Stephen Home, her home for the past 4 years. Opal was born on August 12, 1921 in Upham, NB to the late John "Jack" and Nellie (Scott) Lockhart. She was proudly the eldest of nine children.
Opal’s early childhood years were spent in Upham and Hampton, NB. After completing school she ventured out to work in Rothesay and later in Zeller’s Millinery Department, where she took great pride in making sure that every woman who left her department was fitted with the proper hat!
Opal and Avard were married on August 11, 1945 in Stellarton, NS. When their first child was born, Opal became a hard working stay-at-home mother. She devoted her life to her children and grandchildren, often through difficult times. Opal’s simple pleasures in life were her weekly trip to town on the bus with our landlord’s wife Hazel Stevens and playing bingo at the Orange Hall.
Opal will be remembered as an exceptional cook and seamstress with the ability of making "something from nothing". All her grandchildren were the recipients of her famous diamond patterned hats and mitts to match their current snowsuits. Her grandchildren fondly remember Nannie’s cans of home baked cookies, always kept in the same spot.
Opal is survived by her four children, all of the Saint John area, Karen (Tom) Rooney, Lillian (George) Willard, Sally (Connie) Hall and her only son George (Meta) Magee, also her special niece Wendy (Lockhart) Norman, who was like a daughter to her. She leaves behind eight loving grandchildren, Kevin, Andrew, Tim, and Kim Rooney, Jayson and Christa Magee, Erin Hall and Joe Magee. She also has six step-grandchildren, Nick Constantine, Jeremy and Joe Armstrong, Tim, Tammy and the late Susan Willard. She also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren Kevin and Meagan Rooney, Riley Rooney, Ethan, Noah and Benjamin Rooney, McKenzie Magee, Alyssa and Cohen Vautour… they all loved her dearly and visited their Nan right to the end. Opal is survived by brothers and sisters, Helen Anderson, Alice Clement, and Walter Lockhart all of London, ON, Hazel MacLean of Fall River, NS, Irene Fiss, Sudbury, ON and Cecil (Mary) Lockhart of Napanee, ON. She was predeceased by her brothers Eric (Connie) Lockhart of Saint John and Albert Lockhart of London, ON. Opal also has numerous nieces and nephews in the Magee/Lockhart family.
Opal’s family would like to thank the staff of the Church of St. John and St. Stephen Home for their love and TLC of our mother during her stay. You became her family!
There will be no visitation and a private family graveside interment will take place at the Good Shepherd Cemetery at a the later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenan’s Bay View Funeral Home, 1461 Manawagonish Road, Saint John, NB (634-7425).
If desired, donations in Opal’s memory may be made to Bobby’s Hospice or the Church of St. John and St. Stephen Home.
Until we meet again, Farewell Mum… we love you!