Jeanne Magee Robb

Jeanne Magee Robb, 90, died Monday, February 20, 2017 in Newberg, Oregon at Friendsview Retirement Community. She was the daughter of Louis and Lillian Magee and the younger sister of Robert Magee of Dayton, Oregon. Born in Scotts Mills, Oregon April 30, 1926, she lived in a house built by her paternal grandparents in 1897 that is still standing and inhabited today. Jeanne grew up surrounded by a large extended family of farmers and builders whose values of hard work, mutual support, love and gratitude formed the core of her character and Christian faith. In 1938, she moved with her parents and brother to Unionvale, another farming community near Dayton, Oregon where they purchased the Grand Island Junction Store. Her father installed a soda fountain, giving it to Jeanne and her brother to manage as their own business. The profits were their salary for work. She graduated from Dayton High School as a member of the Class of 1944. Drama, music, journalism and scholastic achievement were the focus of her school life. Other interests included 4-H (she was named Healthiest Girl in Oregon one year at the State Fair) and youth leadership roles in her local church and the Oregon-Washington district level of her denomination. In 1947, Jeanne married E. Clark Robb, a young minister. A shared love of music and service to others filled their home, church and leisure life. She collaborated with him on composing and performing sacred music and was an indispensible partner in the pastoral ministry at churches in Grand Rapids, Spokane, Portland, San Francisco, Phoenix, El Cajon and Anaheim. During those years, Jeanne and Clark raised five children. She kept a very busy schedule of running the household, engaging in the children’s school and community activities as well as serving in church and civic leadership positions. Jeanne communicated her deep love of family through words of affirmation, quality time, acts of service, and generous, warm affection. She and Clark modeled for their children a love of music, creativity, leadership and service to God and others. Above all, Jeanne understood the value of community and expanded the circle of family. There was always room for guests at the table. She embodied the saying that a stranger was just a friend she hadn’t met yet. After 30 years of teaching, mentoring, parenting, leading and inspiring others as a pastor’s wife, mother and community activist, Jeanne returned to school to earn a M. Ed. in Counseling and Guidance from University of Arizona and a Marriage and Family Therapist licensure in California. She completed her professional life with a private practice in Salem, Oregon where she and Clark retired to be near family and old friends. She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca (Robert), and three sons, Phillip (Pam), Paul (Laura), Peter (Genevieve), and daughter-in-law, Maria; also by ten grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. Her parents, brother, husband E. Clark Robb, and son John Robb preceded her in death. A memorial service will be held at Attrell’s Funeral Chapel in Newberg, OR, April 8, 2017 at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to Friendsview Retirement Community Employees Scholarship Program.

Jeanne Magee Robb

April 30, 1926 - February 20, 2017