Maxine McWhorter Ungerbuehler, devoted to community
Maxine McWhorter Ungerbuehler, 83, of Lewes, went home to be with the Lord Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022.
She was the daughter of Helen Morehead Ball McWhorter and Harold Meeds McWhorter. She was a native Delawarean and proud to be so. She was educated at Harlan Elementary School, P.S. DuPont High School, and Goldey-Beacom Business College, and extended her education throughout her life.
She began her career with Delaware State Social Services. Maxine taught English as a Second Language, adult education, and typing in Wilmington city schools, and assisted in the setting up of the College Try Program at University of Delaware. In 1975, Maxine moved permanently to Sussex County and was a member of Indian River School District Education Team, from which she retired in 1985. Residing in Selbyville, she was a member of Salem United Methodist Church and children’s choir director for eight years. She established the Substitute Daughter, a respite caregiving service primarily for senior children caring for ancient parents in Lewes and Rehoboth, in 1990. She was an internationally awarded poet, a member of National League of American Pen Women, and the author of five children’s books that were self-published. Proceeds were given to Beebe Medical Center’s Families in Crisis program. Throughout her life, she enjoyed memberships in many organizations. She was a working member of GFWC/DSFWC and held the position of state fundraising chair, president of GFWC Federation Guild Association, spiritual value chair GFWC/DSFWC, Selbyville Community Club for over 35 years, member of Village Improvement Association in Rehoboth, Zwaanendael Club of Lewes, and founding member of Delaware Friends Club in Dover. For years, she was a member of the Beebe Medical Center Auxiliary and served as a board member for four years. In 2000, Maxine was ordained as a minister and established Safe Harbor Ministries. She was an on-call pastor for Beebe Medical Center for one year.
In 2001, she entered the Wonderful World of Red Hats and established several chapters including Crowned Jewels of Sussex, Delaware’s first Queens Chapter. She and Karen Kochis from Dover founded Delaware’s first large event, Red Hats Whoop de Doo, and she carried this forward for five years. She spoke to women’s groups throughout Sussex County expanding women’s opportunities to have “fun after 50.” Her sense of humor, dedication, compassion and standing for what she believed to be just endeared her to many. In her later years, she was known for her enthusiasm for fundraising and was dedicated to the war against domestic violence. She was a champion for abused animals, and prayerfully battled against the horrors of child abuse.
She was preceded in death by her husband and best friend, Charles M. Ungerbuehler.
She was the mother of three children: Bette Ann Brice Brasure, the late Cheryl Brice Moore Holland and Shane Meeds Brice; and a grandmother to three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson.
Online condolences may be made by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.
