Share: 

Anne Butler Muckerman, accomplished woman

January 3, 2018

Anne Butler Muckerman, daughter of the late Henry Jocelyn Butler and Martha Ferguson Butler, beloved wife of the late Col. Joseph E. Muckerman II, passed away peacefully at her home Monday, Jan. 1, 2018, from complications of Parkinson's disease.

Anne is the mother of Martha Muckerman Rivkin of Milton, Edward C. Muckerman II of Alexandria, Va., Peter M. Muckerman of Alexandria and Lucy Muckerman Lamb of Alexandria. She was blessed with 11 grandchildren.

Born Jan. 8, 1929, in St. Louis, Mo., Anne graduated from Villa Duchesne, a private Catholic college preparatory school for young women in Frontenac, Mo. During that time, she was an avid sportswoman, enjoying competitive sailing, tennis and golf. Anne continued her education at Georgetown Visitation, a junior college located in Washington, D.C., graduating in 1949.

Anne married Lt. Joseph E. Muckerman in 1953 after a three-year engagement. His military assignments were worldwide, including tenures at Fort Sill, the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Panama, Fort Leavenworth, Key West, Vietnam, the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., and Los Angeles. They ultimately settled in Alexandria before moving full time to their favorite family retreat in Lewes. Together with Joe, Anne orchestrated a busy and vibrant life while raising a growing family and accepting the challenge of moving 10 times in 18 years.

Anne's' career involvements, volunteer commitments, personal interest activities and hobbies were many and varied. She was a regional director for the Girl Scouts of America, volunteered for decades at a military thrift shop, worked for Weight Watchers of America for 26 years, and served on the board of directors for Minerallac, a Chicago-based, family-owned company serving the electrical construction market. In 1977-78 she served as president of the Belle Haven Women's Club in Alexandria.

Together with her sister, Beatrice Butler Toberman, she co-authored a book on growing up in a suburb of St. Louis titled: “The Butler Girls and Friends Present: Upper Ladue Remembers.” It was published in 2008 and remains a valued coming-of age-memoir. In 2013, Anne, together with friend Anne Hanzel, honored the life of her husband Joe in a handsomely crafted book: “A Soldier's Soldier: Joseph Edward Muckerman II, 1926-2010.” The tributes and pictorial remembrances from friends, family and coworkers not only chronicled Joe's extraordinary career, but painted an unforgettable picture of a consummate and dearly loved gentleman, friend, husband, father and grandfather.

Both Anne and Joe nurtured a love of antiques and decorative accessories. For over 20 years, Stack Arms Antiques was their passionate "hobby." At the peak point of their business, they managed three retail locations on Delmarva. In her spare time, Anne enjoyed gardening, sewing, working at the thrift shop, reading history and biographies, and doting over her beloved grandchildren.

She will be remembered as a remarkably capable, endearing and accomplished woman, wife, mother and friend. She will be remembered for the infinite pleasure she gleaned from all aspects of life, and for the loved and energy she expended so generously in building a solid family foundation for her children and grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, Jan. 6, at noon, at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, where friends may call beginning at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Anne's name to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

Please visit Anne's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter