Marie Antoinette Muckell

Marie Antoinette (Herman) Muckell, age 100, passed away peacefully at her home in La Mesa, California, on April 15, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. To many family members and friends, she was affectionately known by her French nickname, “Manon.”

Marie was born on April 5, 1926, in Qinhuangdao, China, to Mary and Emil Herman. Her father, Emil, was a Belgian engineer who managed a Belgian-owned glass factory in the coastal port city, located approximately 190 miles east of Beijing.

Marie spent the first eleven years of her life in China, where she experienced an extraordinary and culturally rich childhood. She learned to speak French from her parents and Chinese from the children of the household staff, giving her a unique connection to both her family’s Belgian heritage and the country in which she was raised.

Every few years, the family returned to Belgium for extended visits with relatives. These journeys became part of the fabric of her early memories, as the family sometimes traveled west around India and Africa, and at other times journeyed east through Hawaii and across Canada before crossing the Atlantic to Belgium.

In the late 1930s, Japan seized control of eastern China, forcing the Herman family to leave their home in Qinhuangdao and return to Belgium. The family was fortunate to have left when they did, as many Europeans who remained in the region were later sent to Japanese internment camps during World War II. After the war, a close family friend and missionary shared with them the horrific conditions endured in those camps, underscoring how fortunate they had been to leave China when they did. This chapter of Marie’s early life remained a profound reminder of the uncertainty of the times and the resilience that would come to define her.

On May 10, 1940, Nazi Germany invaded Belgium, and the Herman family took refuge on a farm near Waterloo. During the war years, Marie often shared vivid memories of both hardship and humor. The family raised two pigs, one named Winston and the other Adolf. As time went on, “Adolf” grew quite fat while “Winston” remained thin, leading the family to jokingly rename the larger pig—one of many stories that reflected their ability to find light even in dark times.

Marie also recalled an American tank column stopping nearby, and an American soldier leaping from his tank to kiss her in celebration. She remembered the stark contrast between the first German soldier she saw at the beginning of the war, whose uniform was impeccably pressed, and the last German soldier she encountered at the end of the war, nearly naked and desperately attempting to ride a mule toward either Germany or the American lines to surrender.

These extraordinary experiences during World War II became part of the remarkable story of a woman whose life spanned a century and witnessed some of history’s defining moments.

After the war, the Herman family emigrated to New York City. It was during her voyage to America aboard an ocean liner that Marie met James W. Muckell.

James, a distinguished and dashing employee of the United Nations, had served with honor during World War II in the Royal Canadian Air Force, joining the 1st Canadian Bomber Squadron to be deployed in England and rising to the rank of Wing Commander. Following the war, he accepted the position of Chief of Conference Services at the United Nations.

Marie and James were married on July 7, 1951, in Queens, New York. Shortly thereafter, they made their home in North White Plains, New York, where they built a life centered on love, family, and devotion.

Their first child, James G. “Jamie” Muckell, was born on April 6, 1952, followed by Douglas in 1953, Elizabeth in 1955, MaryAnn in 1959, and Peter in 1960. Marie created a warm and loving home in which family was always at the heart of everything. She was the glue that held the family together through both joyful and difficult times.

Her children lovingly remember evening dinners where salad was served at the end of the meal, in the Belgian tradition; summers spent at “the little lake” in upper Westchester County and later at Skinners Falls, PA; and evenings when Marie sat in the living room knitting from French knitting magazines or typing school papers for her children. They fondly recall the cherished family home in North White Plains, even with its finicky well that often ran dry and required everyone to take “two-minute showers.”

In the early 1960s, Marie began teaching at Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) Parochial School in Scarsdale NY, where she taught French and physical education. She remained a devoted educator there for more than 35 years, touching on the lives of generations of students.

Over the years, the Muckell children often encountered Marie’s former students, all of whom spoke of her with deep affection and admiration. Time and again, they described her as a kind and nurturing teacher, a tribute that beautifully reflected the warmth, grace, and compassion she brought to both her classroom and her life.

Marie also lovingly cared first for her husband and then her mother, “Bonnemaman,” in the comfort of their North White Plains home during their declining years, until their passings in 1991 and 2001, respectively. In June 2000, a grand celebration was held at the North White Plains home for Bonnemaman’s 100th birthday!

In 2011, at the age of 85, Marie sold her beloved home in North White Plains and moved to La Mesa, California. There, she lived in a beautiful apartment built by her son-in-law, Mark Ehman on the property of her daughter MaryAnn’s home, where she remained surrounded by family for the rest of her life.

In La Mesa, Marie became an essential and cherished member of Santa Sophia Catholic Church, where she volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Through her service, she touched many lives with the same kindness and compassion that defined her entire life. It was also there that she met many of the “pantry people,” who became dear friends and brought joy, laughter, and companionship to her later years.

On Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, Marie celebrated her 100th birthday. Just six days later, on April 11, she was honored with a wonderful birthday celebration at her home in La Mesa, surrounded by her adult children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, beloved pantry friends, and many other family members and friends. It was a fitting celebration for a woman whose century of life touched so many hearts.

Marie is lovingly survived by her five children: James (Ann) of Pearl River, New York; Douglas (Corinne) of Bethel, Connecticut; Elizabeth Fetterly of San Diego, California; MaryAnn Ehman (Mark) of La Mesa, California; and Peter of Jamestown, Rhode Island. She was predeceased by her son-in-law Roger Fetterly.

She also leaves behind fifteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren, all of whom were blessed by her love, wisdom, and enduring presence. Marie made time to maintain close relationships with her grandchildren, many of whom lived with her for periods of time.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Marie’s caregivers, Valerie, Maggie and Kelly, for the loving care they provided in her final days.

A Catholic Rosary and Mass celebration will be held on May 19 at 10:30AM Santa Sophia Catholic Church, 9800 San Juan Street, Spring Valley, California.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her honor to the St. Vincent de Paul Pantry, Santa Sophia Catholic Church, 9800 San Juan Street, Spring Valley, CA 91977.

A second Christian Mass celebration will be held in September at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Valhalla, New York, followed by burial at Kensico Cemetery (details to follow).