Melinda Ann Munger, a past president of the Florida Storytelling Guild and long-time member of the Florida Storytelling Association, has passed away,
She served as president of the Florida Storytelling Guild (1990-91) before it became the Florida Storytelling Association, She was the Story Camp Director, and in 2007, she received the FSA Lifetime Achievement Award. She also served as Story Store manager for several years at the annual festival In Mt. Dora.
She also created the Imagination Factory at the Miami-Dade Library system where she told stories and trained librarians to tell stories at every Miami Dade School, public and private.
Melinda was a beloved and well-known storyteller and librarian in Miami Dade area.
She personally told to over one million students in Miami-Dade alone, according to her long-time friend and storyteller Carrie Sue Ayvar.
Melinda also created the International Art of Storytelling Festival in Miami that included an exchange of storytellers that took her to Ghana, France, the Caribbean and more. The festival also brought those international tellers to Florida.
After retiring from the Miami- Dade Library System she continued to tell stories and work with literacy programs like the Humanities Prime Time Family Program. She also volunteered with the wild birds at the Miami Museum of Science and Miami Dade parks. Melinda became a python hunter in the Everglades to help protect those animals she loved.
From the family as noted on the Alexander-Levitt Funeral website.
Melinda “Mindy” Munger, beloved world traveler, storyteller, and librarian, passed away on November 17, 2025, at the age of 79. Born on September 6, 1946, Mindy lived a life rich with curiosity, generosity, and wonder. She believed stories were bridges between people, and she dedicated her life to sharing them—whether through her work as a librarian, her countless journeys across the globe, or her own warm and animated voice.
Mindy had a deep love for nature, especially butterflies and wildlife. She found joy in quiet trails, fluttering wings, and every small miracle the natural world offered. Her ability to weave these details into her storytelling made her tales feel alive and unforgettable.
She is survived by her nephew, Joe Munger, and his wife Samara Munger; her great-nieces Taylor, Caitlyn, and Jordyn; her cherished best friend Carrie Sue Ayvar and her family; and her lifelong circle of friends lovingly known as The Tunas. Each of them carries forward the light, laughter, and love that Mindy so freely gave.
Mindy’s life was a testament to curiosity, kindness, and the belief that everyone has a story worth telling. She will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever loved.
Information was contributed by Carrie Sue Ayvar
Melinda was a masterful storyteller and a great friend. Her stories live on… they brought laughter and joy and understanding and insight to all who were lucky enough to listen. She is missed.
” a life rich with curiosity, generosity, and wonder.” Exactly Melinda!
And isn’t that what we all aspire to?
Melinda is gone too soon, but I am grateful for her clever storytelling, her dedication to education, and her leadership in environmental conservation. Those gifts live on.
Melinda loved storytelling, which unites us to her and her to us. Her talent and drive allowed her to grow storytelling in her work and personal life. What joy and delight there is in knowing her and hearing her tell stories.
The world is a smaller, colder place without Melinda Munger in it. She was loved and respected far beyond South Florida, and our fond memories of her will live on in her stories, and in ours.
The world is a smaller, colder place without Melinda Munger in it. She was loved and respected far beyond South Florida, and our fond memories of her will live on in her stories, and in ours.
I met Melinda in the very early days of what is now FSA. At that time she was already known as a skilled and mesmerizing teller. Through the years we had great stories, great fun, and great naughtiness. She made the world a better place.
Oh, I remember her and her storytelling. What a loss, especially for those of you who were such close friends of hers. It has been years and years since I was in her presence, but I still recall the delight of being with her and hearing her tell.
Melinda is irreplaceable. To listen to her tell stories was to be spellbound. She combined enormous talent with gentleness, humility, and love, a true role model not only for storytelling but also for living. It was a privilege to know her. I always thought that when I grow up, I want to be Melinda. I still want that. Thank God for so many happy memories! Rest in peace, Mindy.
Melinda Munger was a friend, an inspiration, and a source of support when I was just getting started with the Florida Storytelling Association. Her joy in stories and her push to have more of them heard will be missed.
I was privileged to go on the Storytelling Cruise with Melinda at the Florida Storytelling Festival and it was magical. Wit and Wisdom come to mind when I remember her. She will be missed but not forgotten.
Kay Pricher
Melinda was the spirit that never aged; her voice will forever resonate in my heart. Melinda was my boss at The Imagination Factory (1990-93) and my mentor and role model in the art of storytelling. I feel incredibly fortunate that our paths crossed then. When I consulted our mutual friend, storyteller and children’s librarian Marta Garcia, about the opportunity to work at the Imagination Factory, she said, “The knowledge you will gain from working with Melinda will be a lifelong treasure.” And that is where my story with Melinda began. Marta held deep admiration and love for Melinda, and she conveyed that respect and admiration to me. I will always carry Melinda’s voice in my heart and the stories I share. I will forever cherish the memory of my friend Melinda Munger.