Barbara Jean Stevenson

Born to George and Florence Stimson, “Barb” enjoyed idyllic farm lives on her beloved Long Island,
New York and in New Egypt, New Jersey. She learned to drive a tractor by the age of eight and sang in
the choir at Mattituck Presbyterian Church. There, Barb met her sweetheart and future husband, Warren
“Spike” Magor, who would later become a chaplain in the US Navy.
Barb and Spike parented three children: Diane Taylor, Frank “Buddy” Magor, and George “Bucky”
Magor (named for her father). The family lived in multiple Atlantic coastal states, in addition to
Tennessee and Guantanamo Naval Base, Cuba, as Spike's service and ministry demanded. It was a
wonderful lifestyle for the tight-knit, loving family. In 1976, the Magors settled in the Greater San Diego
Community. There, Spike passed in 1979 from multiple myeloma cancer.
Barb was active in her church and sang in the College Park (now “Faith”) Presbyterian Church Choir. A
fellow member of the choir was Harry Stevenson. Harry was a widower and former WWII pilot. The two
bonded, fell in love, and married. They shared eighteen years together before Harry died in 2001 from
brain cancer.
Barbara had diverse hobbies and interests. She enjoyed swimming, going to performing arts presentations,
socializing with friends and caretaking others. She was skilled at needlepoint and she loved Scrabble and
completing crossword puzzles. Barb was also affectionately nicknamed “Rosie” by her children and their
household became known as “Rosie's Grill”. This was born from her generous ritual of providing snacks
and meals to anyone present.
Barb was passionate about shaping young minds. She earned an AA degree in Early Childhood Education
and spent quite a few years teaching preschool, including service at College Park Presbyterian Preschool.
In the end, the brave, loving mother of three opted to pass with dignity and in the intimate embrace of
family. Barb listened to, and silently sang along with her favorite, “The Hallelujah Chorus” by The
Mormon Tabernacle Choir, as she drifted into eternity. Present at Rosie's passing were her three children
and daughter-in-law, Elaine.
Barbara is survived by her three children and daughter-in-law, five grandchildren, four (soon to be five!)
great-grandchildren, as well as her stepdaughter Elizabeth and her husband and their daughter.
A graveside service will be held at El Camino Memorial Park Cemetery 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San
Diego, CA 92121 on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at 11:00 A.M.