Dr. Magda Mische, a longtime Olga resident, died suddenly on Monday, Feb. 13, while on an ocean adventure in the Caribbean.
Information about a Celebration of Life honoring her will be forthcoming.
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I was with Madga when she passed on the sailing ship Pirates Lady. In the end she was doing what she enjoyed and she enjoyed viewing a Hawks Bill Turtle along with me and the rest of the group while scuba diving on a beautiful field of coral. There was a sense of Joy about her on the dive. Much conversation and memorializing of her was done around the ship on the following days. Magda will be in my thoughts the rest of my life. Jim Wickline
Thank you, Jim W, for your comment. It’s reassuring for those of us on Orcas Island to know that Magda enjoyed her last days doing something she loved and sharing a sense of joy with those around her. No surprise there. She will be missed.
There’s so much love here where Magda is, body and soul. Heartfelt thanks to you, Jim, and all the others who were with her and took such good care of her at her transition.
I’ll be coming home Monday with her ashes. I have no idea yet how the days to come will unfold, what shape I’ll be in from moment to moment to talk with our beloved friends and those who know Magda better than me, but you are all welcome to call. Don’t be shy, the door to love is wide open. I’m a ways from knowing when we’ll do her Celebration of Life, or what form it will take, and I’m not yet ready to talk about anyone’s ideas for it. But if you do want to be involved when that time comes, please let me know.
P.S. I’m in the phone book.
So many of Madga’s adventures involved the water, in fact one our favorite things to do was to go kayaking and just sit and be rocked in our boats, dangling our fingers in the water and talking about life. I remember so vividly when she decieded that what she really wanted to do with her time was to go down River/ the Grand Canyon – summer, winter, it didn’t matter. She went over and over, each time loving it more. She will be missed for her enthusiasm, her love of nature, and her vibrant spirit. I am glad she was doing something that she loved when she went. I just wish it wasn’t so soon!
Alexandra your in my thoughts.
Alexandra please accept my deepest condolences. I can only imagine what Magda meant to you. I know she truly loved you. I have quite a few stories with Magda that I will treasure. She was a wonderful friend and Dr. I will miss her. I am happy that she was doing what she loved. Please let me know how i can help.. 512-988-1408
All the best to you Alexandra.. My heart is with you
Alexandra, I am so very sorry for your loss, Magda will be missed. I am with you in prayer through this tough transition in your life. It has been a while since I saw Magda or you, but Alexia and I send our love for you.
Amber Nelson
The community labyrinth in Eastsound stands by at all times to hold our grief and heal our sorrows. May the labyrinth comfort all those who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, pain or any other sickness.
Nancy Ayer
Olga
Dear Alexandra. You will be welcomed into the Phantom Ranch family. If all is supposed to be, you will hike the canyon with us to celebrate Magda in March. Hugs and healing thoughts. Peggy
Alexandra—
Cindy and I have thought of you daily since I talked with you before you headed east. We look forward to being with you in the next week and offering hugs and shoulders. And we are so grateful for having had that recent dinner and conversation opportunity at Chris and River’s house!
Bea and Cindy
Alexandra, We’re all still trying to get our heads wrapped around a life without Magda. Many memories of adventures we shared keep floating to the surface but what I will never forget is hearing her gut-laugh the last time we spoke on the phone. Hope to see you in Arizona soon, you’ll hear lots of stories from Phantom Ranch days. Hugs to you dear girl. Cindy
Magda was a woman of great courage and passionate for living life well. I hold her friendship in my heart.
Alexandra, you were a precious partner to her, and a part of our island community. Paul and I are here to support you as you move through this sad time.
Alexandra, I met Magda, and yourself, a few times at Dan/Steve’s Out on Orcas partys.
I really enjoyed chatting with each of you and was looking forward to your future trip to Bellingham to become better aquainted.
Magda had a beautiful warm smile and easy personality, I had hoped to get to know better. The invitation still stands, please come to Bellingham, we would welcome a visit.
Good luck to you in the coming days. Be good to yourself. Good thoughts your way
Cathy Campbell
Alexandra,
Although we’ve never met, know that we along with many others are sending positive energy your way, as you move into this new and unfamiliar territory in life. I look forward to meeting you (and hiking to Phantom) with you, Peggy, and Cindy, if not this March, then some day soon. Feel the energy. It’s there, it’s good, and it’s sweet. Magda makes it so.
-Terry and Dan Tobin
Alexandra,
Magda was a real gift in my life and I will treasure the days we had at Phantom Ranch and our trips on Catarct Canyon. I hope you can join us in both Page and at Grand Canyon. You will always be welcome. Thinking of you and I look forward to spending time with you soon. Peace. Michael
I just found out. I can’t believe I didn’t know. I’m struggling to come up with words. She was Terry to me — actually “T” and oh the times we had in high school. She lived life more fully than anyone I knew and never gave up searching. We hadn’t seen each other in years and, yet, I miss her so very much.