Mary C. Egan

Mary C. Egan

July 25, 2023

Mary Catherine Egan, 44, of Clarks Summit, died on Tuesday afternoon, July 25, 2023, at Geisinger-Community Medical Center, Scranton, after enduring a series of debilitating health issues, including a fierce, three-year battle with GBS-CIDP. She is survived by her husband, Robert P. Egan, of Clarks Summit.

Born in Scranton to Anna Louise Mack and John McGraw, she was raised on a farm in South Canaan, by her mom and stepfather, Frederick Hott, who adopted her in childhood. There, she learned first-hand the workings of a farm, tirelessly tending to the land and the animals on it. After graduating from Scranton Preparatory School, Class of 1998, she attended Penn State University before relocating to Ohio, there developing a burgeoning career in hospitality management. Then, Bob Egan walked into her life, and along with it, the opportunity to put all of her educations to work. After relocating to the area, she identified a crucial local need. Mary Kay was determined to establish an efficient means to deliver locally sourced, organic farm produce to the kitchen table. With an entrepreneurial spirit, enthusiasm and energy to spare, she coordinated a network of local civic organizations, often with the United Neighborhood Center, to connect families to established local farmers markets, utilizing modern tools of communication, informing and educating through a website, blogs, podcasts and Facebook posts. The website -- theeganskitchen.com—not only provided the where and when of the opportunity to purchase affordable, nutritious food, but the know-how to prepare such foods, with illustrative recipes articles, and appetizing photos. The site will forever remain one of her lasting legacies.

Mary Kay was amazing, purposeful, inspired, a force of nature. Effectively, she took up Gandhi’s challenge to be the change you wish to see in the world. She approached the onset 3 years ago of  GBS/CIDP, a debilitating  autoimmune disease, with a similar zeal, doing as Mary Kay does, researching, educating, organizing, and fundraising for the cause. Promotions included “Walk & Roll” events, and she could always count on the Villa Capri Cruisers to show up in force. Mary Kay Egan was really good at giving to and helping others in her all-too-short lifetime.

As Mary Kay gave of herself completely in life, she did so in death as well. In a final act of her customary benevolence, she was an eye donor.

Heartfelt thanks are extended to Dr. Michael Kondash for his dedicated and compassionate care for Mary Kay through the years.

She is survived by a sister, Stephanie L’Abbe, Ohio, an uncle, John Mack, formerly of Dunmore, family and friends who she loved, including dear friends, Rachael, Brooke, and Maria. And say a prayer for her furry female feline friend, Valentine. Thick as thieves they were, inseparable, they rescued each other.

Per Mary Kay’s wishes, there will be no public services.

Condolences may be expressed on the newspaper and funeral home websites.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Frank M. Regan Funeral Home, 323 William St., Scranton.

Memorial contribution may be directed to the United Neighborhood Center, 425 Alder Street, Scranton, PA 18505, St. Cats & Dogs of Nay Aug Zoo, 700 Nay Aug Road, Scranton, PA 18510 and online to GBS-CIDP.org