Obituary of Mary Ellen Lewis Daggett

Mary Ellen Lewis Daggett Mary Ellen Lewis Daggett died peacefully in her Basking Ridge home of 48 years on Friday, September 24, 2010, after a brief illness. Born to Daniel and Alice Lewis on December 28, 1920 in Mt. Holly NJ, she spent her childhood sharing happy times in Mt. Holly and with relatives in Jermyn, PA. At age 16, she graduated from Mt. Holly High School and went on to New Jersey College for Women (now Douglass Residential College) where she graduated in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. Over the course of the following 40 years, she taught at Chatham High School, the Gill School in Bernardsville, and William Annin Junior High School in Basking Ridge. In 1942, Mary Ellen married the love of her life, Thomas R. Daggett, and spent 59 wonderful years with him until his passing in 2001. Together they raised four children Alice Stull (John), Thomas R. Daggett, Jr. (Susan), Christopher Daggett (Bea), and Penny Hoffman (Rob). She was blessed with twelve grandchildren (Jay, Jeff, Ted, Greg, Tim, Katie, Alexandra, Lindsey, Alison, Justine, Robbie and Heather) and ten great-grandchildren (Skye, Noah, Avery, Addison, Tenzin, Tucker, Carter, Daniel, Jack and Deva). Mary Ellen was very active in the Episcopal Church of New Jersey. With her husband Tom, she helped establish Christ Church, Somers Point, NJ in 1961. She served on numerous church boards, including the Diocesan Convention, the Evergreens, and the Episcopal Church Women, serving a term as President. For more than 30 years, she was an active member of The Church of St. John on the Mountain in Bernardsville, where she was proud to sing in its choir until this past June. Mary Ellen enjoyed her involvement with Douglass College Alumnae reunions and events, and locally, was active in numerous community groups, including the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA), neighborhood book groups, and the Sew 'n Sews. She also cherished regular bridge games with special friends. Interment will be private. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 on Saturday, October 16th at The Church of St. John on the Mountain in Bernardsville. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills, 200 Mt. Airy Road, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920; The Church of St. John on the Mountain, Mt. Harmony Road, Bernardsville, NJ, 07926; or Christ Church, P.O. Box 97, Somers Point, NJ 08244.