Margery B. Munro

Margery Bunce Munro, “Peggy,” died peacefully at her home on June 22 at age 88. She grew up in Palmerton, Pennsylvania, with her parents, Earl and Elizabeth Bunce, her twin brother, Peter Bunce, and older sister, Barbara Bunce McGill, all now deceased. Peggy was an elegant, gracious and loving woman with an ever present signature smile. She was a pioneer with one foot in the old world and one in the new. Peggy married her sweetheart, James S. Munro Jr., in 1949 at age 19, had her first child at 20, and had her seventh and last child at age 33.

In her late 30s Peggy decided to finish what she had started at Vassar College, and she received her degree in Sociology from Northeastern University in 1974. This was the beginning of a transition in Peggy’s life. During this time she lost one of her beloved sons, Tommy, in a car accident at age 17, and her marriage ended in divorce. For the first time in her life, Peggy realized she needed a job. She applied, and in her interview sheepishly said, “But I have no experience.” Her soon to be employer responded, “No experience when you have raised seven children?”

Peggy accepted a position and eventually became the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council for Home Care Aide Services a position she served for the next 27 years. Peggy retired in 2002 with much fanfare that included a speech by a Massachusetts State Congressman who coined the phrase, “you can’t say no to Peggy Munro!” Peggy was not ready to retire and continued to volunteer on numerous boards including Lifebridge in Salem, Massachusetts, Association of Older Americans, Citizen’s Advisory to the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, Marblehead Council on Aging and North Shore Elder Services. In 2017 Peggy was awarded the Lifetime Service Award by the North Shore Elder Services for her tireless commitment to the advocacy of the elderly and infirm and those who provide services to them. This was the culmination of almost a dozen awards that Peggy received over a span of nearly 25 years. Peggy was also involved for a half century in the Old North Church of Marblehead, serving on various search and philanthropic committees. She spent decades cooking and volunteering for the Salem Mission, now Lifebridge, serving homeless communities.

Peggy had numerous avocations, and her most avid was scuba diving. Peggy dived all over the world starting in 1976, but her love of the sea began much earlier snorkeling in front of her mother-in-law’s house in Jamaica in the early 60s. There she would report on the fish she saw as though they were old friends. Peggy’s last dive was at age 84 in Bonaire. Other passions were her gardens by the sea in Marblehead and an endless appetite for literature, poetry and the arts, especially the fine art of conversation.

Peggy moved to Marblehead, Massachusetts, in 1956 where she lived in the same house for 62 years. In this house she raised seven children and later relished her frequent visits from her 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Time spent with her family was what Peggy cherished the most. Peggy was also well known to be a mother to many. To cross the threshold into Peggy’s kitchen was to step into a safe harbor of acceptance. Peggy had a soft tread that left a big footprint on many lives.

Peggy is survived by her six children and their spouses, Kerry Munro and John Graham; James Munro III and Penny Munro; Elizabeth Munro and Peter Wheeler; Robert Munro and Shari Munro; Sally Murray and Mike Murray; and Emily Osgood and Ward Osgood. She is also survived by her beloved 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

A service for Peggy will be held at the Old North Church, 35 Washington Street, Marblehead Massachusetts, on Thursday, July 19, 2018, at 10:30 am. All are welcome and a reception at her house will follow. Contributions can be made in Peggy’s honor to Lifebridge, Salem Massachusetts, or to any organization supporting the homeless, elderly or infirm. Arrangements by Eustis and Cornell of Marblehead.