It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Magnea Gudrun Bjornsson. Magnea is survived by her husband Dr. Gottskalk Bjornsson U.S. Navy Ret., her two sons Neil Roper and Henry Roper, her grandchildren Saren S. Purdham, Olivia Roper, Allison Roper. She is also survived and loved by her extended Icelandic family here in Hampton Roads and abroad. She is preceded in death by her father Haraldur Haraldsson, mother Unnur Magnea Gudmundsdottir, and brothers Jon Helgi Haraldsson, Clark Howard Gross, and James "Jimmy" Gross.

Magga, as she was affectionately known, was born in Reykjavik Iceland October 15, 1950. She immigrated to the United States with her mother at the age of ten. Magga learned the English language quickly and made long lasting friendships quickly. After first settling in Fairmont, West Virginia she moved with her mother and two brothers to Hampton Virginia. Magga attended Kecoughtan High School where she participated in Drama and formed lifelong friendships. Kecoughtan is where she also met her first husband Henry N Roper III,with whom she had her two sons. Magga and her second husband Dr. Gottskalk Bjornsson u.S. Navy Ret. moved to the Hampton Roads area in 2013 to be close to their dear friends and extended Icelandic famly.

Magga was an outgoing, generous, sweet, and caring woman. Famous for her homemade Key Lime, and Key Lime coconut pies, cheesecakes and various other baked goods, she was the type of mother that had your friends always asking if they could stay for dinner. Magga was a history enthusiast and served on the board of the Virginia War Museum and happily participated in fundraising events.  Magga was happiest when the greatest number of people she cared about could all be together. All friends and family are invited to a celebration of life service that will be held for Magga on Sunday August 9, 2021, from 11am to 1pm, at the Berceuse Funeral Home, located at 2609 Cunningham Drive Hampton, VA. The actual service will begin at 11:15 AM and to watch live you may CLICK HERE

In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made in Magga's name to either the Virginia War Museum of Newport News or the American Cancer Society.