Brielle, NJ - Muguette R. Pacilio (née Herger), formerly of Raritan, NJ, passed away on November 22, 2024, one month shy of her 97th birthday. Muguette was born in Newark, New Jersey, to respective Swiss-German and French nationals, Rudolf and Marie-Jeanne.

She was raised in several communities in Essex County before her family settled in Raritan, New Jersey, in 1942. She was a graduate of Somerville High School, class of 1946, and was voted Best Girls' Athlete of her graduating class. She studied at Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School and was employed at Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick for several years. An advocate of continuing education, Muguette returned to college and received her Bachelor's Degree from Rutgers University College in 1975.

She grew up in a French-speaking household surrounded by many of her parents' European and francophone friends. She was extremely proud of both her heritages and frequently shared knowledge of those two cultures with her family through food and language. Bilingual in French and English, she was a Voice of America during World War II which served to combat Nazi propaganda and bolster morale among the French allies. Muguette also had strong connections with her Swiss-German relatives, especially her cousins Fanny and Rudy. She was immensely proud that her family line could be traced back to 14th century Canton Uri. These close familial ties have happily been continued into the next generation.

Muguette was a superbly talented cook, delighting her friends and family with many recipes handed down from her French mother. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed nothing more than getting her hands into the dirt for planting or weeding. Her love of nature was profound and was even reflected in the name Muguette, derived from the French word for lily of the valley, muguet. She and her husband Ed were seasoned travelers and had visited some of the most famous gardens in Europe and around the United States. By far, her favorite was Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania which she had visited many times with her family.

Muguette was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Errico (Ed) G. Pacilio, whom she met when they were both 13 years old.

She is survived by her loving children Renée McDonald (Austin), Simone Pacilio, Eric Pacilio (Annie), Yvonne Culley (Brian), and grandchildren Jacob (Tommie Rae), Raquel (Tyler), Tyler (Kelsey), Ian, Zachary (Apple), Eva, Samantha (Jesse), Jacqueline, Victoria, and great-grandchildren, Gavin, Emilia, Madelyn, and Elisa. Additionally, she is survived by her niece Jody Schappert (Mark) and their son Matthew. Muguette was beloved by all her nieces and nephews and their respective families. She was loved by all who knew her for her kindness and great food. She will be greatly missed.

Visitation hours will be held at the Branchburg Funeral Home, 910 Rte. 202 So., Branchburg, NJ, on Saturday, December 7, from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. followed by a service at the funeral home at 11:00. Interment will be at St. Bernard's Cemetery, Bridgewater, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation in Muguette's honor to Longwood Gardens.