Obituary of Irma Ellen Estes Magner

November 26, 1924 – May 21, 2015 Irma Ellen (Estes) Magner, 90, of State College, passed away peacefully at Mt. Nittany Medical Center after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Johns Estes and Frances Settle Glass Estes of Greensboro, NC; her brother, James Armstead Estes of Port Arthur, TX, and her beloved husband, Thomas Freeman Magner. She is survived by a sister, Dorothy Estes Coleman of Newport News, VA; her children, Ann Norfolk of MD, Mary Shahbaz of TX, and Timothy Magner of PA and TX, and their spouses, Manouch Shahbaz and Janet Magner; grandchildren Kayvon Shahbaz and his wife Melissa of TX, Paul Griever of MD, Ellen Griever Orban and her husband Jimmy of MD, Thomas Magner of PA, Grace Magner of PA; and great granddaughter, Eva Orban. All were blessed to have had her in their lives. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws, and many cherished friends. Irma, of Greensboro, NC, met her dashing young WWII officer at a USO social while she was still a student at the University of North Carolina Women's College (now UNC-Greensboro). Family lore has it that Thomas Magner spotted the slim redhead at the event and asked her to dance. They were married, and during their separation necessitated by war, Irma completed her BA in Sociology. Irma supported her husband during his doctoral studies at Yale University. They started their family in Minnesota and were elated when a faculty position came from Pennsylvania State University. She loved State College and was active in the League of Women Voters, Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, and was a dedicated volunteer at Schlow Memorial Library. She had many varied interests and hobbies: bridge, needlepoint, travel, puzzles, music, theater, reading, football, swimming, and entertaining. She stayed informed, but found the computer frustrating. She believed in the social graces (thank you notes, RSVP's, staying in touch, reciprocating invitations, and heartfelt apologies when she was less than diplomatic). She was impatient to get things checked off her meticulous lists. Kleenex was invented the year she was born and she was never without one. Her social calendar was always full. She was very proud of her children and delighted in watching her grandchildren achieve adult milestones. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday with all three generations of her loving family. The family would like to thank Dr. Frank Guillard, Dr. Paul Guillard, and Dr. Rodney Sepich for their medical care, and the staff and residents of Foxdale for their community, care, and support. The family will host a gathering in memory of Irma from 4-6 p.m., Monday, May 25, 2015 at Foxdale Village, 500 E. Marylyn Ave. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway. Burial will follow immediately at Centre County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen St., State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.