Thank you for making a difference in my life and fostering my love of reading. You were such a positive influence on so many of us at Chapel Glen. My prayers and condolences go out to your family and friends. RIP

Greetings, I want to send my heart felt sorry and condolences to the entire family. My name is Sherman and came across the memories of Esther Mughmaw. Wow she must have been a loving and adventurous woman. Its warming how she still cared for her students beyond class. As a bible student, i wanted to share a verse from the bible which promises in john 5:28-"Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice." How wonderful will that moment be for all. May your loving memories and time help you through. My email address is Mr.andersonjr11@gmail. And as someone who just lost his father, I'm deeply sorry.

After the first week of school for our son, Jordan, came bursting in from the bus trip home to declare his favorite teacher. Guess who, Mrs. Mughmaw. This was really something to say as all of his teachers were wonderful, but she had such an amazing way of making each child feel as though she had personally picked out a book that they could relate to and inspire a love of reading. I began volunteering in the library shortly after that and watched her enthusiasm every week until she transferred from Chapel Glen. What a true treat to know her and know the impact she had on our family and countless others.

Mrs. Mughmaw's first year as a librarian at Chapel Glen Elementary landed her with a difficult child that gave her a challenge. Instead of pushing me off to the side which would have been the easy thing to do, she pulled me out of my regular class for a day and had her help her in the library. She wanted to reach me and it worked. She introduced me to the Encyclopedia Brown series of books and the Minute Mysteries. Deductive reasoning wasn't on my official curriculum nor was it on some standard at the time but it was taught to me in those books. May she rest in peace knowing that she made a difference in many lives including mine.

Robert Yong MEd.

Math Teacher, Chesterton Middle School

ESTHER WILL BE MISSED GREATLY.

HER KIND AND LOVING SPIRIT WILL LIVE IN ALL OF US.

I had Mrs. Mughmaw as a sixth grade teacher at Chapelwood Elementary in 1999. I learned a lot from this amazing woman. I remember her teaching me about humility; how to be a better person and how to treat other people with respect (really

how to be less of an intolerable brat)! She must have influenced thousands of other kids during her career. She also had an amazing sense of humor. I remember she used to call us her Chapelwood Chickadees. Thank you for the life lessons. Rest in Peace, Chickadee.

As I read this wonderful message, tears came to me and I just kept thinking, yep, so true, so true on every point of her life. Brian was so fortunate to meet her. She was always thinking about the other person. I am going to miss her so much. Amen

Mrs. Mughmaw was an excellent educator. As my 6th grade teacher, she taught me to never give less than my very best even when the alternatives were easier. Her expectations of me as a student and a person showed me how to desire more for myself. She will always be remembered fondly. My sincerest sympathies to her family during this difficult time.

God bless and keep the family as you mourn the loss of this fabulous woman!!

Mrs. Mughmaw was an amazing educator or genuinely cared for her students at all times. She was also a kind hearted, caring individual. Rewarding them as well as teaching them lessons. I will forever be grateful for all that I learned in her class for both years I was lucky to be in. There are not enough words to describe the teacher and individual that she was and how much she meant to so many students. My deepest sympathies to her family and close friends, My thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time.

Kelli

My condolences to the family. Please take comfort in knowing that there is going to be a resurrection. The bible book of Acts 24:15 says that there is going to be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous, so with this hope please know it is possible for you to see her again. The bible offers even more hope at Rev. 21:3,4 where it talks about a restored paradise where the human family will have the prospect of enjoying life without end, free of sickness, disease and death as we welcome back our dear loved ones. For more comfort the bible offers please visit jw.org. You may even request someone assist you in your bible knowledge. May the wonderful memories of Esther your loved one provide comfort to you during this difficult time.

Thanks for teaching me to love reading and making it a large part of who I am and what I have become. I am lucky enough to pass that on to my children.

May you be as much a joy and encouragement in your afterlife as you were with us.

You will be truly missed!

Craig Sparks

Chapel Glen Elementary 1979-85

Ben Davis Class of 1991

My favorite teacher died on Friday. Her name was Esther Coss Mughmaw. Her personality was just as boisterous as her name. She taught my 6th grade class at Chapelwood Elementary School. She called us “Team 42”, and we were such a team! All thanks to her “coaching”. Like most people would say, she inspired me beyond words and helped to shape me into the person I am today. Why? Why not, I would ask. I can’t even begin to name all of the ways that she touched my life. I look back at the scrawny 11 year old with braces and glasses who was struggling through puberty and can’t begin to describe how much better that I know she made my life turn out. Where do I even begin to describe her? Her love of others is probably my number one remembrance. She was always quick with a smile or a hug when someone was down. She was always so encouraging when others were faced with struggle or adversity, yet firm with discipline when needed. She allowed me to be me, but encouraged my growth in so many ways. My fondest memory is of Cockroach diving. Yep, that was a thing. Those old-time overhead projectors, a rubber cockroach, and a yard stick made up for some of my best memories of her. She used it as a rewards system when our class was well behaved or all turned in our homework. She would turn off the lights in the classroom, pull the shades down on the windows and then fire up the projector. Sometimes she would be the diver, other times she would choose a special student who was being recognized for one reason or another. The class would cheer and the diver would push that rubber cockroach off of the top of the projector with the yard stick, all of us cheering for it to land on the screen and be projected up onto the wall. That’s it. Seriously. And we all LOVED it. Our class also created what were called “Candy-grams”. We were planning a class trip in the spring, so to raise funds, we charged $1 for a student to send a “candy gram” to another student or teacher or staff member as a Valentines gift. She assigned students to be available before and after school, as well as during other grade’s lunch periods to be available to sell those Candy Grams. All of it was for the wonderful cause of sending our entire “Team 42” class to the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama for a 1 day trip. For those in the class that weren’t able to afford the trip, we all pitched in, probably with the most from her and her husband so that each and every one of us could experience that special day. For most of us, like myself, it was our first ever airplane ride. I will never forget it. It allowed one of my fondest memories with my Grandpa Wilson, who served as a chaperone on that trip. What an adventure. It was such a blur but I know one of the most fun days of my entire life. All thanks to her. When I reached high school, I remember wanting to be a teacher just like her. I even requested to be assigned to her room as a Student Teacher, which she accepted. She was just as wonderful 6 years later than I remembered when I was in her classroom as a student. She retired that year to spend more time with her husband and her friends in the “Rubber Chicken Club,” Book Clubs, and family members. She never had any children, but I know that she loved each of us as her own. It was all over her face. I was even able to keep in touch with her long after she retired. She met me for lunch on a few occasions after I already had a job, and we exchanged letters on a few occasions after I was married. She was always busy planning the next trip or adventure, and always asking what I was up to next, wanting to know about all aspects of my life. As most people do, I got busy and didn’t write back that last time about 4 years ago. My, how do I regret that to this day. We all get so caught up in our own lives, that we forget to reach out to those that helped us the most to get to where we are. Something I will definitely be fixing. Last week a friend from that “Team 42” messaged our class that she heard of Mrs. Mughmaw’s battle with cancer. She provided her address for me to contact her once again. But again, I was too busy and caught up in my own day to day that I didn’t take the time out to reach out to her and let her know how much she meant to me. She died on Friday. I missed my chance. If I could only go back in time and tell her how much she meant to me and how much she shaped me into the person that I am today. There are about 5 people I can name that had the impact that she did on my life. I am going to take the time to let each and every one of them know before it’s too late. I can only hope that one day I am as inspirational, kind, loving, generous, outgoing, funny, lively, friendly, and delightful as she was to others. My heart breaks for her family and the many, many friends that she had as I know they are grieving worse than I am. Although, in my own way, I am grieving a bit harder, because of my failed chance to tell her how I felt about her.

May God bless her and keep her safe in heaven, until we meet again.

Mrs. Mughmaw was an extraordinary treacher of mine. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was in her class. I was only 11 years old at the time and was scared to death. Mrs. Mughmaw continued to show me support in my acedemics as well as allowing me to cry on her shoulder when I needed someone. Frequently after school I did not want to go home in fear of finding my mom getting sick after treatments or seeing more of her hair fall out. Mrs. Mughmaw allowed me to stay after school many times to help me improve on my reading skills and develop a love for math. I can never express how truly greatful I am to have known her! My mother survived and has now been in remission for 16 years and now I am blessed with being a mother as well. I hope to teach my children the importance of how a kind hand and heart can change a persons life forever, just like she changed my mine. Gods rest and peace to you and your family.

I am grateful for Esther, for the joy and enthusiasm with which she lived life that overflowed to everyone who knew her.

I remember her as a caring dedicated teacher. Condolences to the family.

Although, I never had Mrs. Mughmaw as a teacher, I did know her from Chapelwood. She had such a positive personality and really knew how to brighten a room. So sad to hear that she lost the battle my own mother lost years ago. I hope the family can take comfort in knowing she is in a better place and is now at peace without pain. Rest in peace Mrs. Mughmaw, you are loved and missed dearly.

Mrs Mughmaw was an amazing teacher. I still look back fondly at my year in her 6th grade class at Chapelwood. She encouraged me to stand up for what I believe in and for that I thank her. I am truly sorry to read of her Passing and have no doubt that she remained strong and courageous throughout it.

Sincerely,

Erin (Berzajs) Stubbs

Mrs. Mughmaw was my 6th grade teacher at Chapelwood Elementary. She was one of my favorite teachers because she always made class so fun. From cockroach diving with a projector to taking our entire class down to Alabama to visit the space center! She was a wonderful teacher and, I'm sure everyone knows, an even better person. She will be sadly missed. My condolences to her family and loved ones.

By far one of my all time favorite teachers. There was never a dull day in Mrs. Mughmaw's class.

I'm so sorry to hear this, she was my 6th grade teacher at Chapelwood. She was a wonderful teacher and role model.

As a parent and now neighbor..she was a great influence on my children and myself..I knew her from Chapel Glen....what a smiling lady to be an influence on my children and myself

I had the privilege of working with Esther at Chapelwood. She was a dedicated teacher. Her smile was contagious. I am honored to have known her.

I am so sorry to hear about Esters passing. I worked with her in the Media Center at Chapel Glen many years ago. She was such a sweet lady to work with. Sorry for your loss.