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Roberta Bradford-Magill
Roberta Magill is the poster woman for the old saying “It’s never too late”. Born in Portsmouth, Ohio, her family moved to Chillicothe when she was quite young. Graduating from Chillicothe High in ...view moreRoberta Magill is the poster woman for the old saying “It’s never too late”. Born in Portsmouth, Ohio, her family moved to Chillicothe when she was quite young. Graduating from Chillicothe High in 1950 she married her high school sweetheart, the late Glenn "Red" Magill with whom she shared 63 years of mostly wonderful memories. During their marriage they were blessed with 4 children. The youngest died from a rare genetic blood disease at age 27. Bret inspired Roberta’s book and it is dedicated in his memory.
At the age of 36 Roberta began college at the Chillicothe branch of Ohio University and earned a BS in education. She then began a 30 year career teaching remedial reading and an occasional math class at Huntington rural school. During her 2nd and 3rd years of teaching she commuted 50 miles to Columbus achieving her Master's degree in Reading education at The Ohio State University in 1975, the same year in which her daughter Vicki received her BS in education and also became a teacher.
Never one to rest on her laurels Roberta then became interested in learning tennis and became competitive at the age of 45, winning 14 trophies. Bad knees put a halt to the tennis at the spritely age of 75. Years later she received a call from a friend in the local civic theatre saying they needed a short little old lady for their next play. Why not? She was only 81. She made her stage debut, loved every minute of it and she was hooked!
"Billy's Adventure" is Roberta's first book and was written when she was getting her Master's degree at Ohio State. It is about a little boy who has a very vivid imagination. She has shared it often with her students and grandchildren, and discovered that children were very interactive with it. Professionals and friends encouraged her to get it published.
She was attending a book signing for a series of Children’s books illustrated by local artist Chuck Hurley held at the city park downtown. In speaking with the author she mentioned her book. Little did she know that the author, writing under her maiden name of Robin Petty was actually the owner of the independent publishing company WoolysWagon ePublishing, Robin Wolstenholme. She showed her book to Robin and after some conversation it was accepted for publication.
WoolysWagon uses the internet to connect and work with authors, so now Roberta had yet another task: Learn to use the internet and a computer sufficiently to keep in contact with and send files to Robin to get her book published. No doubt she will be a guru before long.
Roberta is involved in her community with numerous associations including the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters, and a volunteer board member of the Scioto Valley Chapter of The American Red Cross, where she has donated almost 21 gallons of blood. She also founded the Central and Southern Ohio Chapter of the Aplastic Anemia Foundation of America and served on their national board. Her community involvement also included Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, serving on the Ross County Board and volunteering for the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon.
She has composed several songs which have been sung at her church, where she is a member of the choir and has served on the board of trustees of the Scioto Society for 30 years, which produces the outdoor drama "Tecumseh".
Roberta adheres to her philosophy that you are only as old as you feel. If you feel like it, don’t be afraid to face new challenges or tackle new projects and activities. You will feel better, younger and enjoy your life to the fullest. She encourages reading and sharing your love of reading with others. Roberta still has many plans which include enjoying time with her children and grandchildren, volunteer tutoring, continued Red Cross work and perhaps some more writing.
She might take up golf again, an interest she shared with her husband when they were younger. With Red’s impressive 4 hole in ones and 2 for Mike and 1 for Rusty, seems she is nearly the only one in the family that hasn’t sunk one. Yet.view less