Obituary
Manne B. Magady, age 79, died in his home on May 16, 2020. Manne was born on April 19, 1941 in Kansas City, MO. He grew up in Kansas City and Lee’s Summit. Manne was senior class president and graduated in 1959 from Lee’s Summit High School. He attended Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) where he was a yell leader and member of Sigma Epsilon fraternity. Manne earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from SWMSU, and a Master of Education degree from the University of Missouri before starting his dream job as a teacher.
After a year of teaching in St. Charles, Manne returned to Lee’s Summit in the fall of 1965 to begin a 30 year career in the R7 School district as a social studies teacher, sociology teacher, driver education teacher, and finally the Director of Social Studies Curriculum. He was also a member of the MSTA Executive Committee. In addition to teaching social studies, history, sociology, and driver education to thousands of students, He was a long-time sponsor of the National Honor Society, and he started an exchange program between students and faculty in Lee’s Summit and a school in Genoa, Italy.
A year after Manne returned to Lee’s Summit as a teacher, Nola Hagan was hired to teach English . They went on their first date a few months later (the old Streetcar Named Desire restaurant) and were married in July of 1967. Throughout their 47 years they shared a love of family, travel, the arts, community service, and pulling practical jokes on their many friends.
Manne “retired” from teaching in 1995, but that merely meant trading teaching for a variety of other ways to serve the community. He was on the R7 School Board from 1997 to 2009, serving as Vice-President of the Board from 1998-2000. He volunteered for the Lee’s Summit Social Services for more than 25 years, doing the bookkeeping and helping with many of their food, toy, and school supply drives. He was a member of the Human Rights Commission from 1997 to 2011, where he was instrumental in the annual Martin Luther King Day events. He received the Human Relations Commission Humanitarian Award in 2007. Manne was also involved with the Decision Center at Truman Library for a number of years, continuing to use his education skills with both students and adults as he helped them experience some of the challenges during the Truman Administration.
Manne was an active member of both the Lee’s Summit Retired Teachers Association, and the Jacomo chapter of the Missouri Retired Teacher Association. He received the Lee’s Summit Rotary Club “Service Above Self” Award in 2000, and the Paul Morris Community Service Award in 2010. He was also inducted into the Lee’s Summit High School Hall of Fame.
He was active in a number of other organizations and groups. Manne also enjoyed spending time with family and friends, travelling,and he was famous for his baking.
Manne also served a role in a number of other groups, including various roles for the Cottages at Cedar Creek HOA, the most important may have been as the unofficial supplier of sweets to the neighborhood. Baking was one of his passions, and he loved collecting and experimenting with recipes and sharing cinnamon rolls and desserts. He also loved to travel. Manne and Nola took many summer trips when their children were young and continued to travel after the children were grown. He was also known for all of the plants and flowers he kept in and around his house.
Manne attended church services at Grace United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife of forty-seven years Nola (Hagan) Magady; his parents David Magady and Ruth (Ofner) Magady;and sister-in-law, Lorraine Magady. Survivors include his brother Stan Magady; son Darren Magady (Phyllis Magady) of Muskogee, OK; Daughter Nicole Galley (Kent Galley) of Olathe, KS; grandchildren Annalee, Jonah, and Autumn Galley of Olathe, KS; Nephew Jeff Magady (Jaylene Magady), great- nephews Josh Magady and Ryan Magady; niece Kelly Anstaett (Danny Anstaett) and their children Colter; Bailey and Bailey’s children Cohen and Vivian; Nola Tran and her parents Dat and Oanh Tran; and many, many teachers, administrators and former students; his neighbors; and other friends.
A Celebration of Life will be broadcast from Grace United Methodist Church starting at 1pm on Saturday, May 23, 2020, and can be viewed at www.livestream.com/graceumc or www.facebook.com/grace4allls. In lieu of a visitation please leave comments on the Langsford Funeral Home visitor’s book or in the Facebook comments during the service. We encourage you to follow all safety and social distancing guidelines, and when possible the family encourages small watch parties of Manne’s service. Feel free to have an extra dessert in his honor. The service will be recorded for viewing if you cannot watch it live. In lieu of flowers,the family requests memorial contributions be made to Lee’s Summit Social Services at 108 4th Street, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063; or to The Magady Family Education Fund for ESL Scholarships. If donating to the Magady Family Education Fund please make checks to Truman Heartland Community Foundation Magady Education Fund, 4200 Little Blue Parkway, Ste. 340 Independence, MO 64057 or go to www.THCF.org and choose the Magady Family Education Fund.
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Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
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www.facebook.com/grace4allls.com
Darren I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing.
My condolences to you and your family
Manne was the kindest, most caring and lovable person we have ever known. We will miss his special sense of humor, his smiles and his big ole hugs! Love you Manne.
I was so sorry to hear of Manne passing. While taking care of my mother Carolyn Wells a neighbor of his… he often dropped over to visit and bring me sweets. His cinnamon rolls were amazing. We talked about his wife and children, grandchildren, him teaching etc. I visited his home to see all his family photos. I think the front room was his sanctuary. God Bless you all, your in my thoughts and prayers. I loved your father, he was good company.
I am so sorry to hear of Manne passing. While taking care of my mother, Carolyn Wells, his neighbor across the street, I often got visits from Manne baring sweets. His cinnamon rolls were amazing. He would love to talk about his family and his life. He even asked if I would like to see his photos of his family. I visited his home and saw his beautiful family. I think this front room was his sanctuary. His smile and his kind fun personality will be missed. God Bless you all, our prayers and thoughts are with you.
I am truly sorry for your loss.
I first met Nola and Manne when we were all volunteers for KCPTV around 1974. Our paths crossed again when I began my teaching career in Lee’s Summit in the early 80s. Nola and I were both on staff at Pleasant Lea Elementary and we had a shared interest in students with English as their second language. Our friendship blossomed and later we were both assigned to Hazel Grove where our career long friendship continued to strengthen. A group of Hazel Grove Special (and they were special) teachers began to meet regularly outside of school. Enter Manne (the only man in our group) , he would occasionally join us and was sometimes the chef for our monthly meetings. He loved creating an atmosphere of good food (especially baking) and friendship. During Nola’s illness, the dynamics shifted and we grieved the loss of our beloved Nola. We have continued to get together monthly until the recent pandemic put us on hold.
Manne was an intelligent, diligent, determined, honorable and loving man. He leaves a legacy of social commitment to the Lee’s Summit community as a teacher, school board member and volunteer. He was very proud of Nicole and Darren and he loved being a grandfather. Our children and grandchildren are close in age and we enjoyed sharing pictures and accomplishments of our families.
We both liked to travel, read and see live theater and would often compare notes on books, travel or entertainment. When he returned from a trip, he always brought a special treasure for the members of our group. He would give me advice but only when asked and it was always spot on.
I am proud to say he was a good friend and I will truly miss him.
Harriet Slotnick
Manne was a LS treasure. He was a wonderful teacher, friend, coworker, volunteer, and overall great guy. He was always ready to go the extra mile to get things done right. He will be missed.
I met Manne at the WHDC in 2001. He and the other members of the WHDC were great to work with. Manne and I often changed times due to conflicts in schedules.Nola was our organizer. I will miss him!
So many wonderful (and at times humorous) reminiscences of all our interactions with Manne and Nola. We’re very sorry for your loss, Darren and Nicole.
Manne was a servant leader, someone I greatly admired and loved. He served our schools and this town selflessly, and he was a wonderful example for those of us who follow him. God bless you, Manne.
May you rest in peace, Mr. Magady. You were one of the best teachers I had at LSHS.
Sending love and prayers to the family.
My sincere sympathy. Manne was one of a kind. Always helping someone. Always a smile and a kind word. A loss for Lee’s Summit, but a gain for Heaven. ?
Mr. Magady was a joy to have as a teacher. He encouraged me to think about opposing views and see the other side. He spoke to us on an adult level. I will always remember him saying to me “Good argument”
I was fortunate to have him as a teacher.
Nicole, Darren and family,
Accept our deepest sympathy for the death of Manner. He was a great family man, wonderful teacher, civic leader and a good friend. Recently we enjoyed one of the recipes he had shared with us. We will miss his soft and compassionate voice along with his constant smile. He will be missed by many.
To this special family of Manne , I send my love and prayers.He was a fine man and a special father! We have all been touched by him in some way. He was a good generous man and baker. He will be missed by all. God Bless Brenda??
Mr. Magady was an educational rock star! He is the very reason I became a social studies educator. I loved his classes, even though he’d often be saying “Hart, quit talking!” I had him as a teacher for 9th grade history and chose to enroll in any and all classes I could (at a time when LSHS switched to more options with semester classes) take with him as the teacher. He inspired, he challenged, he taught critical thinking skills. As a high school social studies teacher I often found myself trying to think how he would approach a lesson, or a student that wasn’t “getting it” or the student that needed to be pushed beyond what was expected. As I told my husband today when I saw the obituary, my favorite teacher has died. My condolences to his family and I feel priviledged to have had him as my teacher for 3 years.
I enjoyed knowing Manne and Nola!!!
Very friendly and accepting of everyone !!!
God Bless!!! So sorry to hear!!!
Manne was good friend to my mother that lived across the street until her passing in 2018. While my sister and I cared for my mother at home he would bring pver delicious deserts. Anytime I asked how he was doing he would say as long as he hears snap crackle pop he was good. He will be missed.
Manne was one of a kind. He was a wonderful friend, a supporter of many community causes, and a person who loved his family. His sense of humor was a plus.
Fran
My deepest sympathy is with all the family. Manne’s positive influence impacts the lives of so many people. He was one of God’s good and faithful servants. His loss will be felt deeply. God rest his soul. Sending hugs to Nicole and Darren.
To the family of ‘Mr.’ Magady…
as I knew him…he was one of a few teachers I really liked!
He was kind and caring and made school a better place to be!
I was more inclined toward creative courses…but I was never bored in his class! I’m sorry for your loss…but I know the living memories of others will be coming like a beautiful river of love and life to comfort you!
God be with you and give you peace!
Most sincerely,
Barbara (Pierce) Geraci
I was lucky enough to have him as a teacher in high school and he was one of my favorites. He was kind enough several years later to allow me to observe his class while I was working on my own teaching certification and I was grateful for the opportunity. Truly a great man.
Dear Nicole and Darren,
My heart is with you today and every day as you remember the remarkable and loving man I thought of, from as far back as I can remember as Brenda Warren’s daughter, as “Manne and Nola.” We all loved your family and a truer friend could not be found in Mom’s eyes. Dad spoke of how wonderful it was for Manne and “The Group” to invite him to dinners after Mom died four years ago. He loved seeing Manne and working on small projects with him. Manne was so generous with his heart and intellect as a teacher, a friend, and grandfatherly to everyone lucky enough to know him. His work and passion for caring for everyone in our wider world is something that has impacted me and will continue to do so as long as I live. It was a honor to know your father and to love and be loved by him. I am so sorry for this tremendous loss your family and and everyone who loved him has experienced—we were touched by his warmth and immense kindness during his amazing journey through this life. I am better for having known Manne Magady.
Love,
Amy Warren Whittington
Manne and Nola were my mentors when I started teaching English Language Learners at Lee’s Summit High School. Nola and I would talk for hours “solving the problems of our little world” as she would put it and Manne would walk by and say “still talking to sister Pam?” Sweet memories!
May you find deepest comfort knowing all the lives they have impacted!
I wish I could be with you during this time. Please know that I am lifting you up in my prayers for comfort and strength. I know you will miss your dad so much, and I know your family and all of your friends will, too. Your dad set a great example for me as a teacher by caring for each individual person he encountered and as he shared his gifts and talents serving our community. It was a blessing to have him in my life.
Manne was a wonderful man and he will be deeply missed by all of us whom called him friend. He was genuinely one of the kindest people I have ever know and I am a better person for having known both Nola and Manne in my life.
I enjoyed knowing and working with Manne for most of my 28 years at LSHS. I loved his humor and hearing about some of the pranks that added humor to our days. He was indeed loved by his students and the faculty. He will be missed.
I have known Manne for many years. I taught in LS and attended many educational meetings where Manne provided refreshments! His cookies got us through many meetings! Retired teachers will miss his wisdom and guidance! My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. God bless!
Devoted Husband
Great Father and Grandfather
Dedicated Teacher
Active Community Leader & Volunteer
True Friend
Manne will be so sorely missed by so many – family and friends alike
Condolences to his family and all who grieve at his loss.
They say that the friends you make when you are young tend to be your best friends all through your life. That is certainly true of our friends Manne & Nola Magady. We met Manne in 1965 when he moved to the Somerset Villa Apartments. We already lived there (Terry worked just up the road at Western Electric) and had already made friends with many of the Lee’s Summit High School teachers who were also residents there. Diane Black was the ring leader! Manne dated a few of the teachers there but also dated Nola Hagen who we did not know because she lived elsewhere in Lee’s Summit. It was a quick romance for them, and when he announced to us that he was “engaged”, we were totally surprised and said, “To Who??” Of course we bonded with Nola too and our friendship never ceased. We moved to AZ in 1980 but always kept up our friendship from year to year via mutual visits here and there, meet for destination vacations, send gifts to each other, letters, cards, telephone calls and eventually emails. They lived a happy life, and we were glad to be a part of it with them. You could not have asked for more caring friends than Manne and Nola. And so we bid them a fond farewell and hope they know they will always be in our hearts. The Johnsons!
I am so sorry. Mr. Magady was one of my favorite high school teachers. He was so interesting and he encouraged a lifelong interest in history and U.S and world affairs. He will be missed by many.
Manne was my husband Jerry’s colleague and student teacher supervisor. Jerry and Manne were very good friends. We enjoyed our times with Manne and Nola. Manne will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Nicole, Darren and All….the world is just a little sadder place without your dad! I loved them both…Your mom was my ESL mentor teacher, for many years and a dear friend as was your dad. Precious souls, both of them! I can only imagine their reunion…they taught us all how to love, unconditionally!
So sorry for your loss of Manne. I considered him a wonderful friend & fellow teacher at LS High School. Those of us who met for breakfast at restaurant in LS monthly are sad to lose a comrade & dear friend. BLESSINGS to all your family & may Manne rest in God’s hands!
I was truly heartbroken when I heard Manne had passed away. Manne was always a wonderful person to talk to and work with. He interviewed me for my current position as a Social Studies teacher at Lee’s Summit High School. I always looked forward to taking my students to the White House Decision Center at the Truman Library when he worked there. It gave me time to catch up with him. All of Lee’s Summit will miss his presence as he did so much for this community.
I did not know Manny personally and wish now I had. What a remarkable man and it shows what dedication, energy, initiative and good will can accomplish in many different areas of service. He was a real credit to the teaching profession and as a citizen with all his activities and interests. You must be very proud of him. He has demonstrated to the rest of us what a person can do with a lifetime. He is a real inspiration.
Nancy Cramer, Retired president of the Foxwood Springs MRTA Unit, now dissolved and part of Belton MRTA.
I am so thankful for Manne’s contribution to the Lee’s Summit School District and to the community at large. Those who precede him may soon be forgotten and those who follow him will be inspired. Manne will be greatly missed.
I only just saw this. Mr. Magedy was one of my favorite teachers. He would debate you in a way so that you would think differently about the subject but would never patronize or ridicule. He was a lovely man.