Obituary of Antoinette M. Wagner

Antoinette M. Wagner (née Mondragon) passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2014, at the age of 94. She was born on February 27, 1920 in Neuilly-sur-Seine (Paris), France. Antoinette was the youngest of Hector and Suzanne Mondragon's three children. She grew up in Paris always dreaming of blue skies and warm temperatures. Her father was a brilliant engineer and her mother an exceptional pianist. She was a good student and was accepted into the prestigious École Polytechnique (Feminine) before the war. Antoinette was a free-spirited and adventurous woman, and often regaled her children and grandchildren with stories of her adventures defying the Germans in Paris during World War II. Her children would ask her again and again to tell of the time she lent her extra identification card to her Jewish friend so that her friend could escape deportation to a German concentration camp, or when she let resistance fighters use her apartment. However, the story that was everyone's favorite best proves her bravery and optimistic attitude. In her early 20s, she swam across a river in the dead of night to avoid detection by the Nazi soldiers patrolling the bridge so that she could visit her very surprised brother who was fighting for the free French. On the other side, she was met by a local resident whom she had paid to take her bike and clothes across. Looking back, she often remarked that she had been naïve and fortunate that the man didn't take her money and run. However, those who knew her recognize that Antoinette's contagious positive attitude and joie de vivre brought her luck and happiness throughout her life. She charmed everyone and was blessed with many loyal friends. It was after the liberation by US forces that she met the love of her life, Captain Stanley Wagner. After the war, Antoinette went to New York to work in the Interpreter's Section of the United Nations. A short time later, she married Stanley and in the period of six years gave birth to Martin, Sheldon, Catherine "Kit" and Christine. In 1955, the family moved to Tucson where Eric was born in 1958. She fell in love with the charming walled, adobe house they bought and called it her "sixth child," tending the garden that became her desert oasis, surrounded by 8-foot oleanders. She adorned the house with vibrant bougainvillea and other lovely bushes, flowers, and trees that she tended daily. She had finally found her sunny spot and loved surrounding herself in its Southwestern beauty. Soon after arriving in Tucson, Antoinette became involved with the Alliance Française and worked closely with Alice Rufenacht, the founder of the organization. She ultimately became president of the Alliance and devoted decades to promoting the French culture in Tucson. When her children were grown she found a calling working for University High in the French Department, tutoring high school students in French. In 2008 she was awarded the rank of Chevalier dans l'Ordre National du Mérite (Knight in the National Order of Merit) by the French Secretary of State for her efforts promoting French culture in a foreign country. However, she always felt that her greatest personal achievement was being the mother of five children of whom she was forever proud, and who now have to cope without their wonderfully quirky and sunny-souled mother. She is preceded in death by her beloved. Stanley; her sister, Mimi; her brother, Jacques and her parents. She is survived by Martin (Elizabeth), Sheldon (Denisa), Kit, Christine (Johan) and Eric (Kelley), along with seven grandchildren, Manon, Andrea, Ariel, Alexei, Julia, Sara, Kelsey, Katie, and Tyler; six great-grandchildren, Margaux, Dashiell, Antonia, Blaise, Esme, and Emeric and her Avendano, Mondragon and Wagner nieces and nephews, and her sister-in-law, Françoise, all of whom loved her very much and mourn her loss. Antoinette's humor and love will continue to bless all of us for the rest of our lives. May she rest in peace. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Michaels of all Angels parish on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements are by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alliance Française de Tucson.