Mary June Pagan

Mary June (Amrhein) Pagan was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on August 27, 1940. She took her final trip around the sun on July 2nd surrounded by her family and the love of everyone she knew.

Her parents were Nicholas Carl Amrhein, III and Helen Muriel (Turnock) Amrhein. Mary was the oldest of 7 children and grew up on a farm in Illinois. After moving with her family to Florida she attended the University of Florida and met her husband Joseph Pagan.
She claimed to have chosen her nursing career only because her college roommate was in the nursing program. After 44 years, there is little doubt that a nurse is what she was meant to be. She started the nursing program at U of F (Go Gators!) in 1960 and retired from nursing from Union Regional Medical Center in 2004. Her friends and family knew that nursing was her calling, not just her profession.

Mary was passionate and fearless. She was always up for an adventure, whether it was bicycling for Multiple Sclerosis, cruising and parasailing in the Bahamas with family and The Executive Committee, kayaking in Alaska with her sister Kathy, and on the coast of NC with her partner, Ken. She loved camping, skiing, boating and flying (even studying for her pilot's license). She enjoyed traveling with Ken to visit family at all four corners of the country. She was generous and kind and her beautiful blue eyes will be missed by so many.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Pagan and their infant daughter, Lisa, as well as her mother and father.

She shared her love of the outdoors and sports with her siblings: Therese Tappouni (Lance), Katherine Sessano, Clare Amrhein (Tony), Nick Amrhein, IV, Chris Amrhein (Donna), and Fritz Amrhein (Tina). Her children - Anthony (Tony) Pagan (Debi), Tina Pagan Day (Larry) and Jennifer Pagan were camping, boating and skiing from a very early age. All of us, including her grandchildren - Joey Burns (Rachael), Savannah Burns and Amzie Pagan (Jenny) and Mathias Helms knew Grandma loved all kinds of music. She attended many concerts, including a yearly pilgrimage to MerleFest. Everyone loved dancing with Grandma, including Ken, her partner in adventure for the past 16 years, 3 months and 12 days.
She leaves behind a legacy - as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and millions who are left to celebrate her life.
Mother Teresa said, “In this life we cannot do great things, we can only do small things with great love.”
The many small things that Mary Pagan did throughout her life accomplished Great Things with the Great Love that she has shared. She always lived her life to the fullest and encouraged everyone around her to do the same. She was truly one in a million.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in memory of Mary Pagan to either:

The Oak Island Bird Lady (wildlife rescue) @ Seabiscuit Shelter, 1638 East Beach Drive
Oak Island, NC 28465 or Hospice of Union County, 700 West Roosevelt Blvd, Monroe, NC 28112.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 5th from 5-7pm, at Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Ave, Monroe, NC 28112.

Online Condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com

Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory is caring for the Pagan Family.