UP community devastated by loss

By Natalie Wheeler, Staff Writer -- wheelern12@up.edu

Tami Magnett - known at UP as the "big-hearted," "cheery," "dedicated" program specialist at the Health Center - died of natural causes sometime between Sunday evening and 5:21 a.m. Monday, according to the Multnomah County Medical Examiner's office.

Magnett, 49, had worked at the Health Center for 15 years. A native of St. Johns, Magnett attended Roosevelt High School, worked at the Twilight Room as a young adult and served as athletic director at Holy Cross High School.

Paul Myers, director of the Health Center, said Magnett was a staple in the St. Johns community.

"We would go for lunch at any St. Johns restaurant and people would always stop by and say 'hello' to her," Myers said.

Magnett began working at the Health Center as a medical receptionist in 1997. Arriving at the office at 7:30 a.m. every morning, she took on many roles during her time at UP, including office manager for administrative support and, most recently, Peer Health Educator adviser.

"She was so skilled with people and had so many creative ideas," Myers said. "She would ask for (tasks), 'I've got this down really efficiently, can I do this now?'"

On the other side of her desk, students remember Magnett as the smiling face who always remembered everyone's name.

"She would show genuine interest in me," senior Chloe' Ruffin said. "I would just put my elbows on her desk and we would catch up."

"She was always cheery, always," senior Rachel Sykes said. "That makes such a difference when you are walking into a medical office."

Fr. Gerry Olinger, vice president of student affairs, was struck by the news of Magnett's death after meeting with her last week to discuss the University's mission.

"It was so apparent in that meeting that this wasn't as much as a job for her but a vocation," Olinger said. "She said she wanted to be positive at work, to provide support to students in need."

Her positive attitude was infectious, according to Myers. He remembers how she had everyone laughing in her interview process a decade and a half ago.

"We could hear the roars in the room coming from the last interview team," Myers said. "And we said, 'We've got our girl!'"

Magnett is survived by her husband, Richard. Her funeral will take place at Holy Cross Church tomorrow at 2 p.m.

- Rosemary Peters contributed to this story.