Mary Jean ''Midge'' Megale
April 25, 1923 - June 20, 2005
Obituary
Midge MEGALE
Passed away June 20, 2005. Midge was born Mary Jean Turnbull April 25, 1923 in Seattle, WA and was raised in Olympia, graduating from Olympia High School and attending U of WA and Juilliard School of Music in New York City. Besides being devoted to her husband of 54 years and her family, Midge’s life was filled with a love of song, travel, cooking and fishing. With her lovely Alto voice, she had a long career with the San Francisco and Seattle Opera chorus’, plus character roles with Musicomedy NW and Civic Light Opera. When not singing or acting, Midge was determined to catch the elusive salmon in the Puget Sound, the San Juans and the Canadian Gulf Islands. She also did docent work with the Woodland Park Zoo and loved the gorilla families. Midge is survived by her husband, Dr Dominic Megale, her daughters, Cathy Getman and her husband Dan and Marina Megale and her partner Deborah Tucker, her son, Mark Megale, and her brother, Dr. Lawrence Turnbull. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2005 at 7:00 PM and a Catholic Mass will be held on Friday, June 24, 2005 at 11:00 AM both at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in West Seattle. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation, 425 Pontius Avenue North, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98109 or the Woodland Park Zoo Docent Association, 5500 Phinney Ave N, Seattle WA 98103-5897.
Midge always impressed me with her courage and good cheer. It was a privilege to know her as a patient, and especially as a person. She will be missed. A long life to all her relatives.
Marina, Although I did not know her well, your mother always had such a beautiful and warm smile for me. I know how close you were and how much you will miss her. Please know that we are thinking of you during this difficult time. Love, Leslie and Scott
Our Family sympathies to your Family. May love support you through this time.
Midge is a beautiful person, she shared her family stories.The one of the Cosmos was special. God Blessed her in so many ways. May your cherished memories of her give you strength and renewed hope for tomorrow. My Deepest Sympathy Gay.
midge you will always be in my heart, we went through so much together these last 20 years. good times and bad, you held my hand..you were the best “other mother” a girl could have. love deb
Midge was an incredible friend and chorister. We shared many wonderful and funny experiences. Never was there a moment that wasn’t upbeat, warm and loving. The heavenly choirs are now singing in full glory with her beautiful voice.
Midge was a wonderful person. We shared many years of singing in Seattle Opera together, laughing and singing great operas. She had a great sense of humor, but was an incredible talent as well. I also loved taking my students to the Woodlawn Park Zoo and having Midge as our docent.
I was so sorry to hear of Midge’s passing. I have many fond memories of our years together in the Seattle Opera Chorus. She truly did have a lovely alto voice, and was a very dear and giving person.
What a beautiful picture of Midge! It’s a shame the beauty of a person’s heart can’t be captured on camera, because Midge was as beautiful inside as she was in appearance. I know she will be missed by many, but will bring a smile to the faces of those who loved her when they think about the monents in which they were able to bask in her sunshine. God bless you Midge and your entire family. There’s a lot of love being sent to Seattle way this week.
Hi Marina and family,
Remember the story I shared with you about my father, Alan, and Stepfather, John, who together sent a message that heaven is real. By their deaths taking place on the exact date and hour 40 years apart–it was not coincidence.
Dominic,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you!
Sam & Sue Tarica
Dear Marina,
I didn’t know your Mom well, mostly just through you. However, I do know how much you love her. My deepest sympathies to you and the rest of your family for your loss.
Love, Joann
We offer our heartfelt sympathy to Midge’s family. We always loved her smile and her special stories. The Lord feels the pain we bear, He also knows our sorrow.
Our prayers and thoughts are for Midge’s family and, of course, for midge herself.There is another angel in heaven.
Okay- here’s a great fishing story: I recall going on one particularily memorable fishing trip up to the Stamp River on Vancouver Island, BC with my Mom. Just she and I. As we stopped at the border crossing at Blaine,WA. the Customs Officer peered at us and asked what the purpose of our trip was- we said “we were going Salmon Fishing” and he asked where our husbands were? “Just us, no husbands” we replied, smiling. He looked shocked…
Later on the ferry crossing,I helped my Mom practice her lines for an upcoming musical. She wasn’t supposed to be out of town due to rehearsals, BUT the Fish were Running…
We had a great time, limiting out, and at the end of our day as we held our fish for a photo taken by David Murphy, my Mom’s friend and fishing guide, she said “ouch”, that the tooth of the 35 lb fish had cut her finger. but no big deal–or so we thought…
So we left for Seattle but ended up in the Bellingham Hospital ER, because that little cut had turned into a big infection- they said go home pronto and go to the local hospital in Seattle. On the way home, we stopped at Portlock Salmon in Ballard to have our catch smoked and canned. It just so happened that there had been a Salmon Fshing Derby near Seattle that weekend and there were all these proud men waiting in line there with their little 5-10 lb fish… Our 2 big coolers were SO HEAVY with our fish we couldn’t lift them up, we had to have a guy come out with his handtruck to haul our fish into the shop past all these fisherMEN. The group fell silent as the lids came off those coolers and our 8 20-35 lb fish were hoisted out onto the scales. It was without a doubt one of the best moments I ever shared with my Mom. Unfortunately, after our moments of glory, we had to check Mom into the hospital where she was diagnosed with Fish Poisoning and hooked up to IV antibiotics for a few days. It was so unusual these days that they kept bringing all their doctors in to view what the symptoms looked like. But she couldn’t get to rehearsal and had to Confess where whe had been to the Director of the Musical and the story all came out how she skipped town to go fishing…
Dr. D.V. Megale/Family:
I am very sorry for your loss. I do remember Midge when I first worked at WSDC and the fact that she loved the opera. I remember some type of office party she had in her lovely home.
Take good care of yourself Dr. DV.
Sincerely, Barbara
Sincerely, Barbara
Aunt Midge, we’ll always remember your voice, your food, your stories, and your smile. Love Always, The Murphys
Mom, I miss you! I know you’re surrounded by all your animals and loved ones who preceeded you. I bet you’re having a great time telling stories and singing and fishing. Dan says you helped him catch a 53″ dorado last Friday while he was in Mexico.
We’ll take care of Dad for you. Give Mia and Cricket a hug for me.
love you always,
Cathy
My deepest condolences to the family. My mother, Marjorie Evelyn Leigh went to Olympia High School with Midge, and I was named after her. Maybe that explains why I too love music and the outdoors. Mom has always told me what a wonderful, warm, friendly and talented person Midge was. I recognized her full name the moment I saw it in the WS Herald and called my mother immediately. She was saddened by the loss and asked that I send her love and regrets to Midge’s family.
Sincerely, Midge Batt