Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Tuesday

January 22, 2013

Phyllis Gertrude 'Fay' Dyke Magwood

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GRAWN — Phyllis Gertrude "Fay" Dyke Magwood, 97, a resident at 4100 Nittany Lion Lane in Grawn, and formerly of Pennsylvania, Canada, and California, went to be with her Lord Jesus on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, at Munson Medical Center. Fay moved to Michigan from Huntingdon, Pa., in 2006.

Born in Minaki, Ontario, Canada, she was the daughter of John Armour Dyke and Gertrude Hazel Woodside Dyke. She was married to Earle James Magwood on Aug. 30, 1941, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Mr. Magwood preceded her in death in February 2000. She was also preceded in death by her parents and five brothers and sisters.

She is survived by three children, James Thomas and his wife Gayle from Twin Oaks, Calif., John Robert and his wife Anika from Jacksonville, Fla., and Linda Faye Christine and her husband Wayne from Grawn. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and four great-greats; along with a brother, William John Dyke, from Sarnia, Ontario, Canada; a half-sister, Doreen Lay of Virginia Beach, Va.; numerous nieces and nephews; and several cousins.

Mrs. Magwood graduated from the McKellar General Hospital School of Nursing in Fort William, now Thunder Bay, Ontario, as a RN in 1940. The Magwoods moved to California in the early 50's, where she worked for 43 years in nursing as a private duty nurse, a floor nurse, in a doctor's office, and retired from the Sonora Community Hospital as Surgical Supervisor in 1980.

She became a Naturalized Citizen of the United States on September 17, 1959 in California.

In California, she was active in The Order of Eastern Star for numerous years and was a member of the Chapel In The Pines in Twain Harte. After her retirement from nursing, she moved back to Thunder Bay, Ontario, where she was caring for her mother and aunt until 1994, at which time she and her husband moved to Huntingdon, Pa., to be near her daughter and her family. In Pennsylvania she was active in the Salvation Army Auxiliary and was a member of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church.

She currently was a member of East Bay Calvary Church in Traverse City, where she regularly attended Bible studies, was a member of the Lightbearers ABF class, and knit hats and scarves for the children in Voronezh, Russia.

Over her lifetime she had many passions: oil painting, sewing, knitting and cooking. She was a great communicator with others all over the world by writing letters and sending cards of love and encouragement. She was a great Prayer Warrior, studied her Bible for hours daily, was very interested in and supportive of church missions, attended Bible studies, loved music, and delighted in being with or hearing from her family that is scattered all over the country. Although being an older member of the church, she loved to see the youth step up and have an active part in church services. She always said that the youth were the future of the church and "we older people" need to allow them the opportunity to grow in their faith and be used by God. Her arms and her heart were always open to offer safety and love to others, and she was known as Mom or Grammie to many over the years.

A "Celebration of Life" memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 11 a.m. at East Bay Calvary Church in Traverse City. Pastor Kendal Dennis will lead the service. Fay will be laid to rest next to her husband at a later date in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, at the Mountain View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be given in Fay's memory to the East Bay Calvary Church, 2225 Hammond Road E., Traverse City, MI 49686. Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family.

The family is being served by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

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