Eileen D. Mungenast, 88, of Matawan, N.J., died on April 13 at Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel, N.J. with her children at her side.
She was born and raised in Butler, N.J., graduated from Butler High School, and attended William Paterson University. She married Kurt F. Mungenast in 1948.
Eileen worked as a Contract Administrator for Marotta Scientific Controls in Boonton for nearly 20 years, retiring in 1991. She moved to Matawan, N.J. shortly after her retirement.
She was a member of the National Contracts Administration, a daily communicant at St. Lawrence Church in Laurence Harbor, and previously a communicant at St. Anthony’s Church in Butler, N.J. where she sang in the choir for more than 40 years.
Eileen worked for several years as a volunteer in the transportation division of Catholic Charities in the Paterson Diocese, volunteered in the Monmouth County Park System in the library at Deep Cut Gardens for 10 years, and worked as a tutor with Literacy Volunteers of America.
She enjoyed her annual trips to the Maine coast to visit her family, as well as her extensive travels in Europe and Central and South America.
Gardening and books were among her passions. Eileen always saw the beauty in her natural surroundings and passed on this love to her family. Teaching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren about nature was one of her favorite pastimes.
She was very active into her 80s, still enjoying boat rides around Boothbay Harbor and Sheepscot River, walks in Cheesequake Park in Matawan, N.J., reading, and classical music. Eileen’s faith sustained her through life’s hardships and was an integral part of her daily life. She valued the companionship of the daily Mass community at St. Lawrence. Eileen’s greatest love was her large and loving family and she will be remembered by them for her zest for life and love for learning.
Surviving are her daughters, Jean Cucci of Edgecomb, Carol (Dr. Bill) Glenn of Galloway, N.J., and Laurie (Joe) Herlihy of Middletown, N.J.; son, Kurt (Karen) Mungenast of Reading, Mass.; brothers, Jack and Donald Devaney; grandchildren, Lauren and Christa Cucci, Dr. Carrie Mastro, Brian, Jeffrey and Greta Glenn, Jessica, Lindsay, Suzanne, Sean and Colleen Herlihy, Chip, and Eric and Kyle Mungenast; step-grandson Craig MacDonald; and great-grandchildren, Bryanna, Hailey and Morgan Mastro, and Liam and Caroline Glenn.
Visitation was April 16 at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home, 115 Tindall Rd., Middletown, N.J. Funeral liturgy was April 17 at St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church, Laurence Harbor. Burial was private at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Butler, N.J.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Lawrence Project Account, 109 Laurence Pkwy., Laurence Harbor, NJ 08879.
For more information, to send condolences or for directions, please visit www.pflegerfh.com.
