Obituary of Elizabeth Ann Mugnier

Mugnier, Elizabeth Ann (Sanderson) - Age 88, passed away on Dec 19, 2023 in Cape May Court House, NJ. She was born on Jan. 5, 1935 in Philadelphia, Pa. In 1953, not long after graduating from West Catholic School for Girls, she married Louis Mugnier. The couple resettled in Blackwood N.J. where they raised 5 children. "Betty" worked for a time as a sales manager at Clover Dept. Store in Collingswood N.J. and in 1984 her husband retired and the couple moved to a turn of the century home in Anglesea NJ, directly across the street from the Historic Hereford Inlet Lighthouse. A talented artist in many forms, her plan was to spend the days by the seaside expressing herself through painting, photography, calligraphy and poetry. Much of this was done almost daily in the tranquil Lighthouse gardens. In 1997, she was asked by the Lighthouse Chairman if she would be interested in a newly planned position as Historic Site Manager. She declined several offers saying she just wanted to concentrate on her art. After some more friendly pestering by 2 of the Board members, she finally agreed that she would help get things started but that she would just work one year only. Falling in love with the place very quickly – that one year turned to 20. She did the bookkeeping, developed the tiny gift shop into a much nicer, larger and more appropriately stocked store, trained staff and tour guides, did press releases, handled marketing and advertising, served as assistant newsletter editor, solicited for senior bus tours and school trips, helped arrange for special events and craft shows, helped with historical research, and interpretive displays throughout the museum and ran information/outreach tables at various events throughout the State. She worked everyday even on her scheduled days off and kept the Lighthouse open through the winter months without salary. Betty was also one of the founding board members of the non profit "Friends of Hereford Inlet Lighthouse' that helped raise funds and awareness for the historic site. She was a key person in so many ways in helping to make The Hereford Inlet lighthouse, at that time, a gold standard in the Lighthouse community. Betty was honored with several important awards including the "Lighthouse Keeper of The Year Award" by the Delaware Bay Lighthouse Keepers and Friends Assc. in 2010, "The Freeling Hewitt Award" by the Friends of Hereford Inlet Lighthouse in 2009, and was part of the team that was awarded the "New Jersey Historic Preservation Award" in 2005. She was truly a modern Lighthouse keeper in every sense of the word. In the novel "Ahab's Wife", there is a memorable quote about a lighthouse keepers wife that certainly perfectly applies to Betty . "She too learned to love the light and the fidelity that it required". Betty is predeceased by her husband Louis, and her sons Robert and Louis Jr. She is survived by her son Michael Mugnier, daughter Maria Mugnier, daughter Susan Magee (Richard), 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. The family would like to give a heart felt thankyou to the wonderful staff at Brookdale Assisted Living in Cape May Court House, NJ for their kind and professional care of Betty over the last several years. Donations in Bettys name can be made to the non profit "Lighthouse Keepers of New Jersey", 397 Corson Lane, Cape May N.J. 08204 A "Celebration of Life" gathering will be held at Evoy Funeral Home on Sat., March 9, 2024 at 1 pm at the Evoy Funeral Home 3218 Bayshore Rd. North Cape May , NJ 08204. Friends and family may pay their repsects from 12:00-1:00pm.