Obituary of Margaret Shafer

Margaret "Maggie" Buckley Shafer Margaret "Maggie" Buckley Shafer died Sunday, November 18, 2012, surrounded by family, as her battle with Alzheimer's Disease came to a peaceful end. Born on January 20th, 1949 in Utica, NY to Michael and Elizabeth Sexton Buckley, Maggie was the oldest of six children. She grew up in Utica with her brothers Michael, Paul, and Stephen, and sisters Anne and Mary, all of whom she loved dearly. In 1971, she met Jim Shafer, a young jock at a radio station in Remsen, NY. She was charmed, and they married in 1972. Maggie gave birth to their daughter, Molly in 1973, and son, Michael in 1976. The family moved around the country as Jim worked as a radio announcer, and finally landed in Charlotte for good in 1991. Her entire career was in broadcasting and advertising. She was an on-air talent on television as "Ms. Maggie" on Utica's local Bozo Show. She even had her own fan club at Hamilton College. She cherished her time with her family in New York, skiing with them in Turin, NY and working as a ski instructor for several seasons. She continued to grow her career in broadcast and media, eventually forming her own agency and media buying service, The Media Company, which she owned and operated until retiring five years ago. Her true love was Jim, to whom she was married for 40 years. She traveled the country with him, taking care of their family as he grew his career, all the while making lifelong friends and hilarious memories. A true force of nature who brightened any room the moment she walked in, her many friends in media, advertising, television, and radio will attest to her honesty, caring, and forthrightness; qualities that she valued in herself and others. She knew how to make everyone feel comfortable, and her bawdy sense of humor and impeccable timing made a lasting impression. Tremendously proud of her children, Maggie's family was remarkably close and fiercely loyal to one another. Her two granddaughters, Kate and Emma, cherished their silly Mimi, who played with them like a child herself, and spoiled them rotten. She is survived by her husband Jim, daughter Molly Shafer Carroll, son Michael Shafer, son-in-law Troy Carroll, and granddaughters Kate and Emma, all of Charlotte. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters, Michael Buckley (and wife, Celia), of Steamboat Springs, CO; Paul Buckley (and wife, Sheila) of Utica, NY; Stephen Buckley (and wife, Debra) of Los Angeles, CA; and Anne Buckley and Mary Buckley Combs (and husband, Larry), of Clinton, NY; sister-in-law Karen Rollins (and husband Tom) of Laurens, NY; and 16 nieces and nephews. If you feel so moved, the family requests that any memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Maggie's honor. While the medical community is making dynamic strides in searching for ways to help and one day cure Alzheimer's, there is still much to be done, most especially with educating people about the disease and the devastation it can cause a loved one and their family. The family would like to thank everyone for their love and support. We will hold close the amazing memories of our wife, mother, and sister, as there will never be another woman with equal parts moxie, loyalty, charisma, and unabashed charm. A service to celebrate her life will be held 4:00 PM Friday, November 23, 2012 in the Chapel of Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association Western Carolina 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215.