Corrin Alma Magruder

Corrin Alma (McCann) Magruder, 90, of Missoula, passed away Saturday, April 2, 2016, at St. Patrick Hospital of natural causes.

She was born to Joseph L. and Alma C. (Opsal) McCann on June 16, 1925, in Plentywood. The family moved to Circle and then Fort Peck, where her father was in charge of housing for the Fort Peck Dam employees. Corrin had fond memories of attending movies in the theater that is now the home of the Fort Peck Summer Theater. She was educated in the Circle and Fort Peck elementary public schools. She attended Glasgow High School, where she met the love of her life, Harold Magruder. Corrin was an honor student at Glasgow High School and was active in many music and drama groups. She enjoyed her after-school job at the Glasgow Flower Shop. She attended business college in Portland, Oregon, and never missed an opportunity to add to her skills by attending classes and workshops. Corrin loved to learn. She was the first person on the Region 24 Sweet Adeline Board of Directors who owned a computer – and actually knew how to use it. She happily taught many of the members how to use computers.

Corrin married her high school sweetheart, Harold Donald Magruder, in Sioux City, Iowa, when Harold was training for military service. They lived in Portland from 1943-1945 and Corrin worked for the Kaiser Shipyard while Harold was flying 30 bombing missions over Europe as a tail gunner on a B-17. They returned to Glasgow, where Corrin served as the Valley County deputy treasurer from 1945-1949. It was in Glasgow where their two beloved sons were born, Jerry Fredrick Magruder (deceased) and Monte Joseph Magruder.

Corrin worked for the law firm of Dignan and Gallagher in Glasgow. She often talked of how this position reinforced her views concerning the importance of attention to detail in all work. Harold and Corrin moved to Beaverton, Oregon, where Corrin worked for John DeVille CPA. In 1962 she started working for the Seattle First National Bank in Vancouver, Washington. Montana was still home and in 1965 Corrin and Harold moved to Missoula.

Corrin started working for the Higgins & Pierson Law Firm, but it was not long before an opportunity of a lifetime came her way. Corrin joined the Western Broadcasting Company as the executive secretary to the president and CEO, Dale Moore. Corrin loved everything about her WBC job – the work, challenges, colleagues, family, travel, and most of all working with Dale Moore, one of Montana's outstanding young leaders. Corrin and Harold moved to Reno, Nevada, when WBC moved their corporate headquarters there. The untimely death of Dale and his father in a tragic plane crash led Harold and Corrin to make the decision to move back to Missoula. Corrin and Harold remained lifelong friends of the Moore family.

Once they were back in Missoula, Harold was busy with his car rental agency and Corrin was back with her beloved Sweet Adelines. Corrin started singing barbershop music in 1969, and she only stopped on Saturday night, when she passed to the heavenly chorus. She was listening to barbershop music when she passed. Corrin held every office in the chorus – some many times. She was singing with the chorus when they won all but the first of eight regional championships; she was living in Reno when the chorus won the first one. Corrin was appointed, by Sweet Adelines International, to be a panel secretary and in this position, she traveled all over the United States and Canada serving as the secretary to the judging panel as they scored contests. She was one of the organizing board members of Region 24 Sweet Adelines. Corrin served as the administrative assistant for the Region 24 Director of Musical Activities, her dear friend Candy Johnson, for 10 years. She was appointed chairman of the Regional Competition Committee and led the planning for many Sweet Adeline competitions. She was awarded the top award given to a Region 24 member – The Rose Achievement Award.

Corrin was so proud of her pilot son, Captain Monte Magruder. Many of us have fond memories of Corrin saying, "We need to go outside, Monte will be flying over today." She loved living in Yuma, Arizona, during the winter and spending time with Monte and his wife Sheryl. Corrin and Harold loved to travel, especially to Hawaii where they would visit Corrin’s brother Jerry and his wife Nora. Harold and Corrin both loved gardening and their Rattlesnake yard was a sight to behold. Harold grew the plants from seeds and Corrin knew the real name for each plant.

Corrin was proud to be a member of Soroptimsts North of Missoula. She was an expert bridge player and was still playing two times a week after she moved to Grizzly Peak. She volunteered for the AARP for 15 years as a tax preparer for the elderly. She enjoyed writing articles about some of the residents of Grizzly Peak for a newsletter. Corrin enjoyed her time at Grizzly Peak, where she had many good friends. The family is grateful for the kindness of the staff and residents of Grizzly Peak.

A classy lady and brilliant woman, Corrin was loved by many. She loved crossword puzzles, music, playing the organ, visiting with friends, beautiful glassware and flowers. Corrin, being the romantic that she is, saved every love letter Harold wrote during WWII. There are close to 200 letters neatly wrapped in boxes.

Corrin was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Alma C. (Opsal) McCann; husband, Harold D. Magruder; son, Jerry F. Magruder; father and mother-in-law, Paul F. and Gladys E. Magruder; sister, Denise (McCann) Crowther; brothers, LeRoy (Agnes) McCann and Jerry McCann; and grandson, David Magruder.

Corrin is survived by her son, Monte (Sheryl) of Lakeside; grandchildren, Christopher Magruder, Anne Magruder and Cody Hatton; and great-grandchildren, Austin, Alexis, Colton, and Gabriel.

A service will be held for Corrin at 1 p.m. Friday, April 8, at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 7405 Mullan Road. A reception will follow in the Community Room at Sunset Memorial. Memorials have been designated to the Five Valley Sweet Adeline Chorus.