Eagen, Mary

Mary Eagen of Fernandina Beach, Fla, passed away Tuesday morning, Nov. 23, 2010, at her home surrounded by her loving family after a long battle with cancer.

Mary Margaret Fay was born Dec. 8, 1956, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was united in marriage to Thomas Dean Eagen on April 3, 1982. The family lived in Bremerton, Wash., for many years and moved to Fernandina Beach in 1996.

Mary was a teller, personal banker and cash management expert for many years at First Coast Community Bank. Prior to FCCB, she held several jobs in government, education and retail but really enjoyed being a semi-full time mom, mixing in part time work and serving as an emergency medical technician for Kitsap County, Washington Fire District 15. She particularly enjoyed the satisfaction of helping others as an EMT and was selected as EMT/Fire Prevention Associate of the Year for 1995.

The American Cancer Society, Nassau County Unit presented Mary with the Courage Award for 2010 for displaying extraordinary courage while combating cancer.

Mary enjoyed quilting, the theatre, beachcombing and sports of all kinds, especially football and volleyball. She was a member of the Amelia Island Quilt Guild and created many beautiful memories for her friends and family. She served, at various times, as treasurer of Amelia Community Theatre and the Fernandina Beach Babe Ruth Association. She was very active in the local theatre scene, serving as stage manager for several large productions such as “Grease” and “Oliver” and as a performer in the Peppermint Players and on stage at ACT.

Mary was happiest when she was doing anything with her family, whether it was crafts, cooking, movies, theatre or traveling to volleyball and tennis tournaments. She was very proud of her children, daughter Nikki is a LTJG in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps, currently stationed at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, and son Thomas (TJ) is a personal trainer at the Seattle Athletic Club Downtown in Seattle, Wash.

Mary is survived by her husband, Tom; daughter, Nikki; son, Thomas; parents, John and Dorothy Fay of Cedar Rapids; brothers, John Fay of Kansas City, Mo., and Joe Fay of Marion; sisters, Jeanne Sampsell of Longmont, Colo., and Cheryl Fay and Julie Dalby of Marion; and several nieces and nephews.

Mary wanted her family and friends to remember her as she was in life rather than in death and did not desire to have any funeral or memorial services.

In lieu of flowers, please support Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32257 and cancer research of your choice.

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Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors, Fernandina Beach, Fla., is handling arrangements.