Evamae L. Magee, 93, of Oak Bluffs, passed away peacefully on Nov. 20, 2018, with her loving family by her side.
She was born to Milton Look and Eva Sampson Look in Brockton, on August 6, 1925.
In 1927, Evamae was brought to her beloved Island by her grandfather, Thomas F. Look, to live and be raised on his most beloved Island.
Thomas’ Vineyard ancestry dates back to the American Revolutionary War. His great-great-grandfather, Thomas M. Look, was one of the first up-Island landowners, as well as one of the first mill owners.
Some of Evamae’s fondest memories were those of summers, when the family would move from their winter home in the Highlands (East Chop) to their houseboat, the Pelican, which was moored in the O.B. Harbor.
Days were spent jumping over the side every morning, and swimming to the little sandy beach that once ran the length of the harbor, going into town to get the mail, or a quick breakfast to bring back for the family, then spending the afternoons rowing her dinghy to the E.C.B.C., for picnics and fun with friends.
She attended the Oak Bluffs School, in a class with just seven students, and graduated in 1943.
Evamae met her husband Keiver while they both were working on Circuit Avenue, she as a waitress, and he as a bartender. Keiver had just returned from serving in the RCAF in WWII, flying Spitfires in many missions. They were married on Sept. 8, 1947, and went on to have six children.
In her later years, after Keiver passed away and the kids were grown, Evamae was still very active, and loved to work in her garden, and as an avid birdwatcher, she took great care of all the birds that frequented her many feeders and treats in the yard.
Evamae was also very passionate about cats, and adopted three during those later years, and she always made sure the shelter was given her donations on a monthly basis.
Evamae was predeceased by her three sons, Brian T. Magee of Key West, Fla., Jeffery A.Magee of San Francisco, and Paul K. Magee of Los Angeles. She is survived by her daughters, Julie Chandler and husband John of Oak Bluffs, Jennifer Wilcox and husband Mark of Providence, R.I.; and her son Keiver L. Magee Jr.; by her five grandchildren, Curtis Chandler and his wife Abigail, Tnisha Chandler and partner Stan McMullen, Molly Magee, Owen Silver, and Corrina Magee. And Evamae’s brightest days in the last few years were those when she was visited by her four great-grandchildren, Kaya and Abel (Tnisha), and Johnnie and Adeline Mae Chandler (Curtis).
A graveside service for Evamae will be held on Sept. 24, at 4 pm at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Oak Bluffs, officiated by the Rev. Cathlin Baker. In lieu of flowers, donations in Evamae’s name can be sent to the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1829, Edgartown, MA 02539.
