Muriel Jean Magee

Jean was born in Hortonville, Kings Co. Nova Scotia. She was the daughter of the late David and Myrtle (Nolter) Higgins. She graduated from the Victoria General Hospital School of Nursing followed by nine months of postgraduate studies in psychiatry at the Nova Scotia Hospital in Dartmouth. She began her career in nursing at the Brandon Mental Hospital, Manitoba where she was quickly promoted to Supervisor and was given the responsibility of improving care and standards to meet national accreditation. Within a year the facility was granted permission to accept both nursing and medical students as part of their clinical rotations. It was in Brandon where Jean learned to curl and developed her life-long passion for the game.

Upon returning to Halifax, she met and married the love of her life, her rock, Carroll Magee. Forever after, they were simply Jean and Carroll to everyone they met.

She continued her studies, graduating from Dalhousie and later Mt. Saint Vincent (cum laude) Universities.

Jean is remembered as a dedicated health care professional. During her 34 year career at the Victoria General Hospital she advanced through increasingly challenging positions playing a significant role in the quality of health education not only at the hospital but also throughout the province. At the time of her retirement she was the Director of Educational Programs and Services at the Victoria General Hospital.

During her career she served on many provincial and national committees and boards such as chairing the Department of Health Manpower Advisory Committee and Interagency Steering Committee Metro Collaborative BScN project. She was also a Director of the Canadian Medical Alert Foundation Board, National Blue Print Committee on Nursing Registration Examination, the Nova Scotia College of Physicians and Surgeons Disciplinary Hearing Committee and the Nova Scotia Cancer Foundation Board.

Jean was the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Silver Jubilee medal which was awarded to those who make a significant contribution to their fellow Canadians and their community.

Jean was a long time member of Fairview United Church serving on several committees.

Jean and Carroll’s door at Birkdale and Lewis Lake was always open to their many family and friends. At the cottage, they hosted many staff parties and annual family picnics where all were made to feel welcome and none left hungry.

Most of all, Jean was most proud of her two children, Kirk and Lorie-Ann and their spouses, Beth and Doug plus her four grandchildren, Joseph, Brodie, Samantha and Connell.

She is survived by her daughter Lorie-Ann (Doug) Mills, grandson Brodie Mills, granddaughter Samantha Mills, son Kirk (Beth) Magee, grandson Connell Magee, sister Hilda Burton and brother George (Sharon) Higgins.

She is predeceased by husband Carroll M. Magee, sisters: Reta Coffill, Velma VanBuskirk, Nellie Higgins, Carnita Allen, Audrey Harvey and Grace Taylor; brothers: Lawrence Higgins, Gordon Higgins, Ivan Higgins and Ralph Higgins.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Cancer Research Society (www.crs-src.ca), 200 Isabella St., Suite 305, Ottawa K1S 1V7 or the Lower Horton Cemetery Fund, Grand Pré.

Visitation for Jean will be held on Thursday August 10, 2017 from 6-8 pm and a Memorial service will be held on Friday, August 11, 2017 at 11am both at J.A. Snow Funeral Home 339 Lacewood Dr. Halifax.