San Mateo County mourns the passing of former schools superintendent Nancy Magee

“I was informed that the passing was peaceful, with family and loved ones present,” interim Superintendent of Schools Marco Chávez said Monday. “Please keep Nancy and the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We are grateful for Nancy’s many years of leadership and she will always be in our hearts.” 

Magee led the county’s Office of Education through the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting the transition to distance learning and back to in-person learning. She was also a champion for school safety, establishing emergency response protocol for campuses and chairing the county’s Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities. Magee was also instrumental in advancing the countywide third grade literacy initiative, The Big Lift. 

Under Magee’s leadership, the San Mateo County Office of Education was named Medium County Office of the Year by the California County Superintendents in 2025 for its statewide leadership in behavioral health, environmental literacy and school safety.

Ian Bain, executive director of Strategy and Communications for the Office of Education, said Magee’s impact extended far beyond the county and acutely into each and every classroom. 

“She was a huge champion for equity, inclusion and really walked the walk in making sure everybody had equal access to education, and equal access to excellent education here in San Mateo County,” Bain said. 

Bain spoke highly of Magee’s impact in the county and was happy her legacy was honored in recent months. 

March 10 was declared Nancy Magee Day in San Mateo County by the Board of Supervisors upon her retirement. Supervisors spoke highly of Magee’s impact on education in the county.

“Your unwavering commitment to put children first — and their education first — will be sorely missed,” Supervisors Ray Mueller said to Magee at the board’s meeting March 10.

She was also awarded the “Golden Oak” Award at the 17th District PTA Founders Day Luncheon and the Tom Mohr “Champion of Education” Award from Chamber San Mateo County in February. 

“I’m really thankful she was able to hear those things while she was still alive,” Bain said. “It’s a loss for many others personally, and it’s a real loss for our community.” 

Assemblymember Diane Papan, D-San Mateo, said Magee led the county “with remarkable steadiness, compassion and resolve.” 

“She was a trusted mentor, a collaborative leader, and a champion for the next generation of educators and community leaders,” Papan said in a statement Monday. “Her legacy of service, partnership and profound impact across San Mateo County will endure for years to come.”