Violet Marie (Nardelli) Magee, age 97, passed peacefully, surrounded by family and caregivers, at her home, in Baldwin, Kansas, on January 11, 2022. Violet was born in Gross, Kansas to Mario Nardelli and Johanna (Zanona) Nardelli, October 6, 1924. She graduated from Arcadia High School in 1941, completed her teaching certificate at Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg, and began her first job in a one-room schoolhouse at St. Paul, Kansas, on the “island”.
Violet’s life spoke music, like a tapestry. It was woven through her journey and defined her being. Using voice lessons to learn the English dialect, it was discovered that she was blessed with being a quick learner. Violet was most notably a talented pianist who could embellish music and teach others, piano and voice. So gifted, her instructor accompanied her to Chicago for a debut of her talent and a musical tour. Earlier, she had rekindled a friendship with a schoolmate; a pilot returning from World War II, so she came home for her true love. She was married to Raymond Edward Magee on June 20, 1948, at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Mulberry, Kansas, during a rainstorm. A tornado followed the ceremony, so the reception was held in the family basement by the light of church candles.
Violet and Raymond celebrated 52 years of marriage and “were proud and grateful for five children and were honored that God had entrusted them to be their parents.” They spoke of goodness and their actions showed care and kindness. Their home was filled with cappellettis, cinnamon rolls, pies, meatballs, and handmade breads that were available to family and anyone that needed a place for the holidays. There were piano students of all ages, often 30 a week, along with scout meetings, homemade dance costumes, student recitals, voice lessons, and choir practice for mass and weddings.
Music made the moment, making every occasion better, as Violet played at graduations, civic symphony, community choir, school plays, as well as participating and judging piano and voice competitions. She volunteered her time at St. Mary’s as a music teacher. As the organist at Mary Queen of Angel Catholic Church for fifty years, generations remember Midnight Mass and Easter. She played at many weddings as well as funerals. Hundreds of thank you cards lined her scrapbooks, recalling her contribution to their ceremonies. Music was a large part of her life, and she was thankful for the opportunity, but most importantly she credited God for her talent.
Violet was a friend, a neighbor, a teacher, and a mentor. Most importantly, she was a wife, a mother to 5 children, a grandmother to 14 grandchildren, a great-grandmother to 6 great-grandchildren, and a loving dog owner to her loyal O’Riley.
Violet was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond. Survivor’s include one daughter, Sharon Magee-Minor and husband, James, of Baldwin, Kansas; four sons, Dr. Raymond Daniel Magee, and wife Connie, Topeka, Kansas, Dr. Lawrence Marion Magee and wife, Michelle, Lawrence, Kansas, Mark Edward Magee, and wife Cabrina, DeSoto, Kansas, and Dr. Shawn Michael Magee, and wife Shirley Dawn, Topeka, Kansas.
What a wonderful difference she made in the lives of many. The family would like to thank all of Violet’s friends for being such an important part of her life. “Always in our Hearts”
Because the Funeral Mass is for family only, friends and neighbors may view Violet Wednesday, January 19th thru Friday, January 21st, from 8:00 am until 7:00 pm at Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, Fort Scott, Kansas. A private family service will be held at Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church, on January 22nd, 2022, where she was the organist for 50 years. A private family graveside service will follow at Garden of Memories, Pittsburg, Kansas. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Violet may be made to Mary Queen of Angels Music Ministry or Engineering Scholarship at Kansas University, Raymond and Violet Magee. Memorials may be left in care of Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 West Wall, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
