Elizabeth Campbell Magnuson

Elizabeth Campbell Magnuson, 84, passed away on August 10, 2025 in Portland, Maine. Bonnie, as she was known, was a devoted mother, grandmother, and tireless advocate for social justice and civic engagement. Born and raised in Michigan, Bonnie attended high school at Northfield School in Massachusetts before graduating from Brown University. She married Paul Magnuson and they lived in Philadelphia where Paul was on the faculty of University of Pennsylvania. When he took a job at New York University, they settled in Maplewood, New Jersey, where she lived for many decades and raised their two daughters, Elise and Katherine. In 2010, she moved to Madison, Wisconsin, to be near her beloved granddaughters, Abby and Sarah. Her Christian faith was a central part of her life and guided her work to build a more just and caring world. She served as a Director of Religious Education at three Episcopal churches in New Jersey and gave much time and energy to youth ministry in her own parish as well as in the Diocese of Newark. She remained active in her church community after moving to Madison. She lived her faith through action, working tirelessly for social justice. A committed advocate and community leader, Bonnie served in leadership roles in both her local and state chapters of the League of Women Voters in New Jersey. She was deeply involved local community and public affairs, including playing an organizing role in the Essex County charter change and serving on local and state government boards. Bonnie also had a special passion for youth, and she played a key role in founding the North New Jersey chapter of GLSEN, advocating for safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQ+ students. Both in New Jersey and Wisconsin, Bonnie worked to expand opportunities for those who had been disadvantaged, formerly incarcerated, or unhoused. In every setting, Bonnie brought compassion, intelligence, and unwavering commitment to organizing others to work on behalf of the causes she championed. She believed deeply in the dignity and potential of every person, and her life’s work reflected that conviction. Outside of her church and community work, Bonnie cherished time with her family and her cherished rescue dog, Lucy, who brought her great joy in her later years. She also enjoyed art and being creative. In her later years, she loved nothing more than getting her hands dirty in a fun art project with her granddaughters. She is survived by her daughters, Elise and Katherine; her granddaughters, Abby and Sarah; and many friends and colleagues whose lives she touched. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Planned Parenthood https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/onlineactions/6iOI0_HnUUmPu_6_SRgayg2?sourceid=1015196&ms=4NALzzz00z1N1A&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=2005071319 or the Southern Poverty Law Center https://secure.splcenter.org/page/86079/donate/1?ea.tracking.id=ads_rti_dtd_gs_kw_25_a&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20493057779&gclid=CjwKCAjwkvbEBhApEiwAKUz6-x8FxzRzC0TVBsxkScoqPvMRjd-BiNBoeFbw-HYca7e6fSFNHlbMrxoC8QAQAvD_BwE

Elizabeth Campbell Magnuson

May 20, 1941 - August 10, 2025