Molly Sue Chandler Mugnier

Molly was born in 1936 in Independence, MO to Richard Slaughter Chandler and Matilda Olga Bader Chandler. The family moved to Houston when Molly was four years old and settled in the Houston Heights. She attended Hamilton Junior High and Reagan High School and was active in tennis, softball, and bowling, achieving a 220 bowling average. Her father died when Molly was in high school and she took over complete management of the household and the finances. Her mother “Tillie” lived with Molly and her family until she passed in 1978.

She loved music and learned to play the violin, piano, organ and accordion. She was an original member of the first All Girls Accordion Choir in Houston. In later life, she taught accordion and piano lessons. She accompanied many soloists and choirs and was highly sought after to play at weddings, funerals and special occasions, many of which were often on short notice. In one particular instance, a children’s charity holiday event that her daughter Allison was involved with had a piano player cancel on the day of the event and Molly happily gathered up her music books, drove across town and played for four hours making sure the children felt the holiday spirit. Molly was a church organist for over 20 years with multiple churches including Third Presbyterian Church of Houston in the Heights.

Molly met Paul Mugnier on a on a blind date on August 31, 1957. He was in the US Air Force and stationed at Ellington Air Force Base when his squadron buddies organized an off base adventure. They had originally invited another service member who was a “no-show” and Paul was happy to step in. He was so impressed after meeting Molly that on this first date, he asked her to go out again the very next night. He proposed on April Fools Day 1958 and it was NOT a joke. They were married in Houston five months later in September 1958. Paul often said he knew he had to move quickly before someone else edged him out.

Molly worked for an insurance company and later as a legal secretary for attorney Jim Phelps until 1964. Her knowledge and expertise made her the highest paid legal secretary in Houston in the early 1960s. She met with clients, prepared briefs and did investigations. Many times Mr. Phelps would not even need to meet with the clients until they were ready for court. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, she loved teaching preschool at Terrace Methodist Church’s Big Little School for over fifteen years. When out and around Houston in later years she often saw many of her kids, and they still send Christmas cards, letters, pictures and stop by to visit.

In her “free” time, she was an active volunteer and held offices in many organizations – Chapter P of the PEO for over 50 years, Spring Oaks Garden Club, multiple PTAs, Band Booster Parents, Room Mother, the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts. She served as the Girl Scout Cookie distribution chairperson for her daughter’s troop and was so successful that she (and her house) became the central distribution point for all Girl Scout Troops in the Spring Branch/Memorial Area. She gladly did anything and everything her children volunteered her for – “My mom can do it!” And she LOVED doing it!

Molly and Paul enjoyed travelling extensively throughout the continental United States, Alaska & Hawaii and Canada, by car, camper, plane, train, and cruise ship. These were often family vacations, visiting a wide network of friends, and going on adventures with Paul’s Air Force buddies and their spouses. They also enjoyed good food and friends at progressive dinner parties with their gourmet dinner club.

Molly never met a stranger and was a second Mom to a wide circle of kids, several of whom had lost their own mothers. She was a great listener, an excellent provider of advice, and frequently fielded questions as Dial-A-Cook. She would run into friends she knew in the oddest places, like high school classmates in the Newark airport and Girl Scout members on a cruise ship in Alaska. Even into her later years as COVID kept her at home and illness slowed her down, she actively maintained connections with friends and relatives via the phone.

Molly was predeceased by her parents. She is survived by husband Paul, children Allison (Roselle), Richard (Connie), and Joanna; grandchildren Stacie (Eric) and Carolina (TJ) and great grandchildren Keegan, Stella, and Chevy Rose. Survivors also include many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and their children.

Thank you to all the friends and family who stopped by to visit Molly. Many thanks for the compassionate care of all those at Memorial Hermann Hospital and Houston Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to: Houston Food Bank, Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, Meals on Wheels, Star of Hope, or any charity of your choice benefiting children or education.

A Celebration of Life Service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 8, 2021 in the R.L. Waltrip Venue at Waltrip Funeral Directors.