Clara Mae Buckmaster, second from the left, at the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department banquet earlier this year.
Chesapeake Beach, MD – The communities of Chesapeake Beach and North Beach are mourning the passing of a longtime familiar presence. Clara Mae Buckmaster, 80, died at her residence Sunday, July 30. While she was a local fixture at town meetings, fire hall and American Legion events throughout Calvert County, Ms. Buckmaster also was prominent statewide, having once served as the president of the Maryland Fireman’s Association Auxiliary.
“To say she was a dedicated member would be an understatement,” a statement posted by the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department (Company 1) read. “Clara Mae has 56 years with the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary and held every position with the North Beach, Southern Maryland and State of Maryland Auxiliary.”
“She knew more about what was going on in the Beaches than the mayors did,” Chesapeake Beach Mayor Pat “Irish” Mahoney told TheBayNet.com, who added that he visited Ms. Buckmaster last week. Mahoney said she counseled him with these parting words, “just do right by the people.”
“She was a special woman,” said Mahoney. “She was a very happy woman.”
“She was a special part of our community—both towns,” said former Chesapeake Beach Mayor Gerald Donovan. “She was one of my best friends for the past 50 years. She will be tremendously missed.” Donovan told TheBayNet.com that he will be one of the speakers at Ms. Buckmaster’s funeral service Saturday, Aug. 5 at Rausch Funeral Home in Owings.
Company 1 officials recalled in their statement that prior to the creation of the 911 emergency number “citizens would call her home directly for emergencies and in turn would alert the North Beach volunteers via the direct line, and blew [the] siren all from her own home! People who remember those days say she was the original 411 and 911.”
In addition to Company 1, Ms. Buckmaster was active in American Legion Post 206 and once served on the North Beach Town Council. Additionally, in her role as an ordained minister she would lead the prayers at fire department functions.
For information on funeral arrangements and contributions, visit the Rausch Funeral Home Web Page
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com