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Buckalew obit

Margaret (Muncie, Granny B) Buckalew, 86, of Fort Myers Beach passed away Monday, Aug. 9, 2010, at Hope Hospice in Fort Myers. Born January 26, 1924, in Roebling, NJ, the daughter of Hungarian immigrants, Charles and Mary Sahol, Muncie started her illustrious career in the 1940’s working as a civilian employee at Fort Dix, N.J. She co-owned and managed Buckalew’s Bar and Restaurant in Beach Haven, N.J., for 47 years with her husband, Thomas, to whom she was married 63 years. Muncie was also an AT&T Bell Telephone operator in the days when phone plugs were used to connect calls. In the 1980’s she became Granny to her grandchildren. After her retirement to Fort Myers Beach in the 1990’s, she became Granny B to the “Mother’s Morning Out” children at Chapel by the Sea.

Muncie was well known for helping to prepare dinners for the Knights of Columbus Dinner Dances and feeding the elderly at Fort Myers Beach Baptist Church through the Ella Pipper Center.

Muncie is survived by her husband, Thomas; her children Muncie Buckalew, Terry Cain (Richard), Tom Buckalew (Sally) and her grandchildren: Travis, Nina and Jesse Buckalew; Gregory and Sandor Cain; her brother, Robert Sahol; sister-in-law, Mercedes Paton; and many nieces and nephews. Muncie was devoted to her family and friends and was deeply loved and respected by all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

A memorial service was held Saturday, Aug. 14, at the Church of the Ascension on Fort Myers Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations sent to the Children’s Home Society of Florida, Southwest Division, 1940 Maravilla Ave, Ft. Myers, FL 33901.