Elizabeth A. Fougner

We are saddened to announce the passing of Elizabeth Fougner of Staten Island, New York. On the morning of May 8th, following a short illness, she departed surrounded by love at the age of 99.

Originally born in St. Albans, Queens, Elizabeth put down her roots on Staten Island, initially living in Mariner’s Harbor and later moving to Westerleigh. At the age of 20, Elizabeth married the love of her life, Arnold Fougner.

She was an active member of the Mariners Harbor Reformed Church, where she belonged to the Ladies’ Aid Society and served as Sunday School superintendent.

Elizabeth lived a life filled with many accomplishments. She began her working career at the Macy’s flagship store in Manhattan and later worked at the Port Ivory division of Proctor and Gamble on Staten Island. She also held positions as a medical secretary.

Elizabeth’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to open her own business, Everything Nice Ceramics Shop on Port Richmond Avenue with her sister Agatha. For 10 years, she owned and operated the shop, sharing her love of ceramics by teaching the craft to adults and children. Her work was often entered into competitions, where she earned many awards.

Elizabeth had a special gift for conversation and was cherished for the warmth she shared with everyone she met. She always welcomed others in to chat with a cup of tea. With her positive outlook on life, she often reminded those around her not to dwell on life’s stresses and to focus only on what they could control.

Throughout her life, Elizabeth’s greatest passion and talent was sewing. She lovingly made wedding dresses for her sister Eleanor, her daughter, and granddaughter, as well as christening outfits for all six of her great-grandchildren. Also, she enjoyed the arts of cross stitch, needlepoint, embroidery, knitting, and crochet.

Her devotion to sewing and other crafts also helped bring the first Joann Fabrics store to Staten Island. At a time when there were no fabric stores on the island, Elizabeth was instrumental in gathering community support by securing the signatures needed to help make it a reality.

Anyone who knew Elizabeth was aware of her expertise in quilting. She was self-taught in the craft, starting at age 22. Over the years, she carefully created many quilts and quilted items for family members and friends.

Elizabeth was a member of the Quilter's Nook and Moonlight Quilters Guild of Staten Island. She often quilted for worthy causes, such as donating lap quilts to residents of nursing homes and bag and pillow sets for cancer patients.

Fifty-three years ago, Elizabeth, her husband, Arnold, and his brother, Ernest, ventured to the Adirondacks, where they discovered and restored a farmhouse that continues to be the setting for countless family summers and memories.

Elizabeth was an avid Yankees fan who hardly ever missed a game, cheering on her team with a beer and chips, even in her later years. She enjoyed the companionship of her dogs, a Shih Tzu named Taffy, and her two King Charles Cavaliers Ciara and Crystal. She also loved spending time tending to her beautiful roses.

She was the host for many holidays and family gatherings, where she was known for her delicious pot roast dinners, cheesecake, and 1-2-3-4 cake.

Elizabeth was the devoted wife of the late Arnold Fougner and the loving mother of Ellen Saulo (wife of the late George Saulo), the late Thomas Fougner, and John Fougner (fiancé to Judy White).

She was the cherished grandmother of Deborah Saulo-Haggerty and her husband Robert, and Sharon Ferguson and her husband Alfred.

Elizabeth was the beloved great-grandmother of Christopher, Madison, Lauren, Ryan, Sean, and Mackenzie, and a dear aunt and great-aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Her kind and generous nature will be warmly remembered by her family, friends, and neighbors.