Leah J. Magee (Jacoby) passed away peacefully October 12th at the age of 91 with her devoted husband of 70 years Robert by her side. Youngest of 11 children and the last surviving sibling, she was born March 2nd, 1928 to Andrew and Elizabeth (Irick) Jacoby in Lincoln, NE and raised in the Russian Bottoms of Lincoln. She met her husband Robert, while working at Magee’s clothing store. On April 8, 1949, they married at Westminster Presbyterian Church. The couple raised six children together. Leah taught Sunday School and served as an elder at Westminster. She served as chair of the Board of Women Deacons where her favorite responsibility was visiting the elderly in nursing homes who could not attend church. After taking a Bible class for two years and teaching Bethel Bible at Westminster she decided to go to college and earn a degree in education. Leah earned her undergraduate degree and Master’s Degree in education from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. She became a Lincoln Public School teacher at the age of 50 and taught 8th and 9th graders at Goodrich Middle School. She retired from teaching at the age of 68. In retirement, Leah and Bob traveled extensively taking their grandchildren on vacations and daytrips.
Leah is survived by her husband Robert, sons Bruce and his wife Gayle (Olympia, WA), Doug (Arvada, CO), David (Papillion, NE), Brian (Omaha, NE), Stuart and his wife Amy (Santa Barbara, CA) and daughter Laura (Lincoln, NE), 14 grandchildren (Ryan, Meredith, Ashriel, Kylah, Micalah, Tyler, Connor, Matthew, Brian, Jr., Charlie, Hallie, Evan, Madeline and Nathan, and 12 great grandchildren (Caden, Kellia, Aubrey, Kiley, Scarlett, Harlowe, Taryn, Dashiell, Annabeth, Charlotte, Emerson, and Liam).
Memorial services for Leah are Saturday, October 19th at 10:00 am in the chapel at Wyuka Cemetery & Funeral Home in Lincoln, NE. There will be a small reception following the memorial.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to People’s City Mission in Lincoln, NE in memory of Leah J. Magee.
The family wishes to thank Leah’s caregivers at the Waterford, Tabitha and St. Croix for their loving care and support they provided during these final weeks of her life.
Mrs. Magee was one of my favorite teachers and yearbook advisor when I attended Goodrich in the early 90s. I am sorry for your family’s loss.
To the family of Mrs. Magee,
I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for having had Mrs. Magee as a teacher and yearbook sponsor. She had a contagious love for literature, saw traits in me that I didn’t know were there and shepherded those traits, modeled strong female leadership & how to be classy and sassy for me. For this and so much more I will be indebted to Mrs. Magee…my best tribute to her life is that I, too, became and educator!
Bob, so sorry to hear about Leah, May your grief be short and your Memories long, Gloria Stiles Eppley…
Greatest teacher I ever knew!! I was a struggling student and she took me under her wings and helped me find the joy in reading! I always hoped to see and talk with her again. Many blessings and prayers for her family and the many students she touched in her life!
My condolences to her family and friends. She was a great teacher! I attended Goodrich Junior High in the late 80s. Teenagers are not the easiest lot to deal with! I am thankful for every time she set me straight. I was somewhat difficult to redirect. May she rest in peace.
Our deepest condolences on the loss of your wonderful mother and wife. Susan Wood
So sorry to hear about Leah. May your grief be short and your memories long. Your old friend Gloria Stiles Eppley. Give me a call sometime. 308 991 1686
Condolences on the passing of Leah Magee from the Wishnow family from Hillside St. She was a great neighborhood mom and I got to know her later as an adult when I worked at Goodrich. Lovely caring sweet lady!
I’ve known the Magees since I was a little kid. Leah used to buy me popsicles at Hillcrest. Very nice lady.
I was so sorry to read about Leah. She and I had such a good time working together at the Lincoln Symphony while I was the Manager there! She was so funny, energetic and positive, a joy to be around. And she talked with such pride and love of her family. Wishing you happy memories.