Obituary of Jane Curtis Magrath

Jane Northern Curtis Magrath died at home on January 19, 2020. For eighty-eight years she lived not far from where she was born, yet had friends all over the earth. Her wit, her generosity, her intelligence, and her ability to make all of us behave will be missed. She was born in Chattanooga on December 21, 1931, to Martha Marie Offut and Paul Atcheson Northern. Jane treasured her friendships, many from the Chattanooga High School class of '49, and the University of Chattanooga class of 1953, where she had joined Alpha Delta Pi. She worked as a medical technologist in the lab at Erlanger Hospital. While raising children she became involved with them in supporting the EYC and acolytes, the Chattanooga Boys Choir, the Girl Scouts, art, music, and theater productions around Chattanooga. She was always busy with her own interests, too; quilting at St Paul's, singing in the church choir, working with the ECW and the Missionary Ridge Garden Club, traveling, cooking, knitting, and organizing huge family get-togethers, especially for the Fourth of July. With her first husband, she was one of the founding members of St Martin's Episcopal Church, where she served on the vestry and as parish secretary. Later, she served St Peter's Episcopal as Parish Secretary and served as the Secretary to the Convention for the Diocese of East Tennessee. Along with the Rev. Hallie Warren, she served the Diocese in the process of discernment for postulants to the priesthood. Her second husband had been a founding member of St Thaddaeus Episcopal Church, and there she found more friends and a place to be involved. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John W. B. Curtis, her husband E.K. “Dutch” Magrath, Jr., her son Mark Timothy Curtis, and her cousin Harry O. Northern. Jane is survived by sisters Marie Turner and Margaret Kelley, cousin Brooks Northern, cousin-in-law Paul Phillips, daughters, Jamie Curtis, Margaret Taylor and her husband Jeff, son Jack Curtis and his wife Katrina, and grandchildren Emily Flynn and her husband Kevin, Taun Curtis, and Kiefer Curtis. Also, step-son Dutch Magrath and his family, and step-daughter Liza O'Dell and her family, and the host of nieces and nephews in our extended family of Northern, Curtis, and Magrath cousins. Especially precious is her great-granddaughter Lillian Brielle Flynn, who will be a big sister later this year. We had many helpers through her long illness, especially Mia, Val, Rebecca, and Gloria, and all who came from Hospice of Chattanooga and Right at Home sitters. The Hospice nurses and nurse practitioners were of constant support. Staying home was Mother's preference, and it wouldn't have been possible without their excellent professional help. Memorial contributions may be made to St Thaddaeus Episcopal Church, Metropolitan Ministries, WSMC, UTC, Orange Grove Center, and Hospice of Chattanooga. Visitation will be at St. Thaddaeus Episcopal Church in Murray Hills off Hwy 58 on Friday, Jan. 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Burial Mass will be at St Thaddaeus, the Rev Robert Hartmans officiating, at noon Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall. Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 4000 Tennessee Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37409. (423) 821-7551 Please share your memories, stories, and photos at www.wannfuneralhome.com.