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Virginia O. Magada




Virginia O. Magada

Virginia O. Magada

Virginia O. Magada, 88, passed away quietly in Murfreesboro, TN during the early morning hours of January 16, 2020.

She was the daughter of prominent mathematicians Dr. Frank C. Ogg Sr. and Florence S. Ogg of Bowling Green, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Dr. Frank C. Ogg Jr.

She is survived by her sister, Florence O. Smith of Cedar Park, TX, and brothers, Dr. Andrew P. Ogg of Oakland, CA and Oscar R. Ogg (Marilyn) of Lexington, OH.

Virginia earned a bachelor’s degree in painting from Bowling Green State University, and a master of fine arts degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder where she met her husband, the artist Stephen Magada of Youngstown, Ohio, who subsequently became a professor at BGSU. She was the beloved mother of Gregory (deceased), Dr. Mary F. Magada-Ward (Steven) of Murfreesboro, TN., Michael F. Magada (Roseanna) of Chicago, IL, and John S. Magada (deceased). She received immense joy from grandchildren, Darius M. Magada-Ward and Jade E. Sipes (Will), and great-grandchildren, John Elliot Sipes and Claire Grace Sipes.

While Virginia was small in stature, she had an outsized influence on those who came within her orbit. After the untimely passing of her husband in 1971, Virginia remained a model of love, resilience, service, generosity, and Christian perseverance to her family, friends, and acquaintances. She was instrumental in creating the well-regarded Cluster College program at Bowling Green State University where she brought her knowledge of fine art, architecture, and literature to the teaching of undergraduate humanities. Virginia was a committed proponent of social causes including advocating for the Equal Rights Amendment, fair wages for migrant laborers, compassionate care for neglected senior citizens, the welfare of indigenous Americans, and the humane treatment of animals. For her entire adult life, Virginia tithed her income to charity.

Among the many community organizations that she was involved with, she particularly enjoyed her membership in the Bowling Green Shakespeare Roundtable, the longest continuing Shakespeare study group in the US, and helped in organizing their trip to London, England in celebration of the group’s 100th anniversary. She also devoted many years of service to the Wood County Humane Society and she was an active member of Saint Aloysius Catholic Church in Bowling Green until she moved to Murfreesboro in 2012.

Virginia will be remembered for her love of family and friends, her appreciation of the arts, and her devotion to community. A memorial service will be held for her in Bowling Green, Ohio on May 2. Memorials may be made to the Wood County Humane Society, Ohio. An online guestbook for the Magada family is available at www.woodfinchapel.com.

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