"Goggie"

Margaret "Marge" V. Bax, 86, of Lewiston, NY, passed away on Wednesday November 25, 2009 at her residence while under the care of Niagara Hospice and her loving family. Born in Buffalo, NY on October 7, 1923, she was daughter of the late George M. and Violet (Williams) Hollenbeck. She married Frank L. Bax on February 15, 1941 at Sacred Heart Church in Niagara Falls, NY. Mr. Bax predeceased her on October 12, 1997.

She moved to Niagara Falls with her family as an infant and resided there until 1972, when she moved to Lewiston, NY.
Margaret attended schools in Niagara Falls, Ontario and Niagara Falls, NY and was a graduate of the Trott Vocational School of Practical Nursing in 1965. She later attended courses at Niagara University and Niagara County Community College.

Margaret began working as a staff nurse at Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital as well as a private duty nurse at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital in Lewiston. She was a first aid nurse for Niagara Frontier Service for 17 years, and substituted as clinical nurse for the Niagara Wheatfield School System. Mrs. Bax worked a charge nurse at Fairchild Manor in Lewiston for seven years prior to her retirement.

Margaret served on the advisory board for the New York State Board of Regents for 2 years and instructed nurse's aides for Lewiston Porter Adult Education Program. She was past president of the Niagara County Division of LPN's and Techs of New York and was community representative with the Niagara Wellness Council. In addition to her volunteer work with American Red Cross and March of Dimes, she had served as a den mother and health advisor for Boy Scouts Troop 817.

Mrs. Bax was a member of the Parish Council at St. Peter's Church in Lewiston, NY where she was also past president of their Senior Group and the Legion of Mary, and was a member of the Sacred Heart Church choir. Marge was a member of the New Beginnings for widowed people, AARP, UTU retirees program and SEIU Nurses Local 721. Lovingly known as "Goggie", she always enjoyed being with her friends at the Red Hat Society and the First Saturday Society of the Niagara Frontier. In addition to gardening and traveling, Goggie always looked forward to joining her son Paul, grandson Scott and great-grandchildren helping at the Catholic Workers Thanksgiving Day dinner for the needy.

Mrs. Bax is survived by three sons: Ronald (Gail) Bax of Palo Alto, CA, Paul (Sandie) Bax of Wheatfield, NY and Francis (Patricia) Bax of Niagara Falls, NY; seven grandchildren Francine (John) Sdao, Charlie Ann (Jim) Syprett, James Sdao, Scott (Tracy) Bax, Robin Bax-Littere, Bronwyn (Hector) Acosta, Keith Bax; nine great-grandchildren; a sister Georgia (David) Rey of Mesa, AZ and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter Betty J. Laurie (late Jim) Sdao, granddaughter Jodi Sdao Legge, and two sisters Thelma (late Joseph) Baldassara and Shirley (late James) Novotny.

Friends may call on Tuesday 4 – 8 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY RD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday December 2nd at 10:30 AM at St. Peter R.C. Church, 620 Center St, Lewiston, NY with the Rev. Sebastian C. Pierro, officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr., Lockport, NY 14094.