Marguerite Luzi “Muggs” Ellis passed away on March 24th at Mary Elizabeth Nursing Center in Mystic. Muggs was a life long resident of Noank, residing most of her years at 37 Hillside Avenue, she was 2 months short of her 90th year.
Born in Noank on May 23, 1916 to Primo and Lucy (Musanti) Luzi. She married Wilfred Praught “Hoot” Ellis in 1938 in Mystic. Hoot passed away in 1987.
She is survived by three children, William James Ellis of Noank, Michael Lawrence Ellis and his wife Georgiana also of Noank, and Kathleen Praught Ellis Wildes of Indian Harbour Beach, Fla; six grandchildren, Michael P. Ellis and his wife Tina of Mystic, Lauren E. McGugan and her husband Keith of Stonington, Mark W. Ellis and his wife Karrah of Worcester, MA; Suzanne E. Ruther and her husband Russ of Avon, NY, Kimberly F. Flock and her husband Jason of Seffner, Fla, and David Wildes and his wife Heather of St. Petersburg, Fla; 8 great-grandchildren; a sister, Irene Luzi Burrows. She was predeceased by her sister, Fausta Luzi O’Neill.
She graduated from Robert E. Fitch Sr. High School in Groton , number one in the class of 1934. Muggs began working as a secretary at Electric Boat in Groton upon graduation. An excellent basketball player in high school, she continued to play for the EBAC. She was so talented that she was approached to play on the men’s team. She remained at Electric Boat until beginning her family. When Kathleen entered school, Muggs returned to EB and remained until her retirement in 1980. She worked herself up to the position of head secretary. Upon reaching the highest pay scale in her field, her status was changed to continue her pay raises.
With her skill typing mathematics she was hired by publishing companies out of New York to type math textbooks. Many of the symbols used had no print dye, so most of the books were published with the picture of her typed work. Wanting to truly retire, she would demand a price from the publishing companies she felt would be refused. They met her request every time. She was also in demand from former bosses to type their theses.
She bowled duck pins in both the Mystic and New London leagues, stopping when duck pin bowling lost it’s popularity. She was a coin collector, an expert knitter, and an expert crossword puzzle solver. For many years, she entered the New York Times Crossword Puzzle Contests. Muggs was a master Contract Bridge Player, competing and winning point awards into her early eighties. She was a Jack Niclaus fan, watching any tournament he entered. In later years, she followed the career of Tiger Woods. Muggs was a “die hard” Boston Celtics fan, often leaving events if the Celtics were on TV. In recent years as the Celtics have tried to regain the status they held during their dynasty years, she knew they would have done much better if they listened to her advice she shouted at them through the TV screen.
Her family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Tuesday from 1:00-1:45, immediately followed by a service at 2pm. Burial will be in Noank Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Mary Elizabeth Patient Recreation Fund, 28 Broadway, Mystic CT 06355.
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