Magdalena “Maggie” Mueller Runyon, 100, of Friendship, passed away peacefully with family by her side on May 8 at Cove’s Edge Nursing Home in Damariscotta. She celebrated her 100th birthday March 18. A resident of Friendship since 1988, she was born and raised in Manasquan, N.J., second oldest of 17 children.
She graduated from Manasquan High School in 1927, and worked in the family restaurant and florist business until her marriage in December of 1932 to Robert M. Runyon, Sr. Through 72 years of marriage, Maggie and her husband devoted themselves to raising four children, and were involved in many entrepreneurial pursuits. She provided a special mother’s devotion to her youngest son, George, ensuring that his life was purposeful, and full of love and joy. She supported him through special educational and vocational programs, and created a loving home for all her children and grandchildren.
She and her husband were founding members of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Manasquan, N.J. Her love of the Lord was the cornerstone of her life, and the source of her love for family and friends. At the time of her death, she was the oldest member of the Nativity Lutheran Church in Rockport.
During WWII, Maggie had a huge “victory garden”. She was known for her skills canning and freezing vegetables and fruits, as well as for her beautiful needlework. She and her husband lived in Manasquan until 1959, when they moved to Brielle, N.J. and then to Howell Township. At the age of 80, they built a home in Friendship to be near her daughter and her family. She continued to garden and preserve foods well into her 90th year. The area Food Pantry looked forward to her call to come and get her “extra” vegetables. She entered Cove’s Edge in December, 2006, after a period of declining health. Throughout her 100 active years, Maggie served as matriarch and provider to her immediate and large extended family.
She was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, Robert M. Runyon, Sr. in October 2004; parents, George and Caroline Mueller; sisters, Elizabeth Mueller, Louise Schwier, and Caroline Willinger; brothers, Fritz, George, Henry, Albert, and Charles Mueller; daughter-in-law, Kathleen Brady Runyon; two brothers-in-law, Edwin and Fred Runyon; and sister-in-law, Margaret Kriess.
She is survived by four children, Caroline and husband William Zuber, II of Friendship; Robert M. Runyon, Jr. and wife Prudence of Manchester, N.J.; Edwin C. Runyon of Howell, N.J., and youngest son, George H. Runyon of Friendship, who has always lived with her; seven grandchildren, William H. Zuber, III of Rockland, Robert R. Zuber of Brandywine, Md., Andrew F. Zuber of Bristol Mills, Edwin C. Runyon, Jr. of Howell, N.J., Jeanne R. Newberry of Austin, Tex., Robert M. Runyon, III and wife Johanna of Radnor, Penn., and Scott P. Runyon of Hillsborough, N.C.; two step-granddaughters, Erin Brady McGeogh and husband Timothy of Point Pleasant, N.J. and Colleen Brady of Eatontown, N.J.; four great-grandchildren, Sara C. Zuber of Brunswick, Isaac W. Zuber of Waldorf, Md., and Benjamin S. and Liam W. Zuber of Bristol Mills; step-great-grandchild Kyle Weinand of Bristol Mills; sisters, Bertha Moore, Anna Wood, Clara Queen, Martha Dropchinski, Frieda Davis, and Gretchen Andersen and husband Walter, all of Manasquan, N.J.; two brothers, Robert Mueller and wife Irene, and Richard Mueller, both of Sea Girt, N.J.; sister-in-law, Anne Runyon Fraley of Bremo Bluff, Va., and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral service 1 p.m., Sat., May 30 at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. Burial will follow at the Friendship Village Cemetery followed by a reception. Celebration of her life and memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Manasquan, N.J. at the convenience of the family.
Donations in her memory may be made to either Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Main and Osborn Streets, Manasquan, NJ 08736, or Nativity Lutheran Church, 179 Old County Rd., Rockport, ME 04856.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Waldoboro.
