Mary Crane Bäck

MARY CRANE BÄCK, age 75, beloved wife and mother, returned home the morning of Monday, February 27, 2017. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on January 28, 1942, to Hardy M. and Opal S. Crane, Mary moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in her early teen years, graduated as part of the first full class at Englewood High School in 1960, and adopted the city as her home. After a time working at the budding Florida Telco Credit Union, Mary began her life's career path in the field of Medical Administration in the practice of Dr. Lawson Hardy. She was also crowned Miss Jacksonville Jaycee in 1962. After twelve years devoted to starting and caring for her new family, Mary returned to her profession at Florida Medical Association, where she served as Executive Assistant to Executive Director Donald C. Jones, and achieved the position of a director. Following her assignment at FMA, she worked for years in the practice of Dr. Yank D. Coble, past president of the AMA and WMA, and assisted both Dr. Coble and Mr. Jones in the formation of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), where she served until her retirement.

As seriously as she counted her professional accomplishments, her true desire and calling was for the care and nurturing of her family. She was a woman of deep Christian faith, a true lover and supporter of the Arts, an incredibly talented gardener and horticulturist, and, whether shell-hunting on the Atlantic shores or sailing with friends and family on Pensacola Bay, found peace and strength in the sun, sky and salt water of Florida.

Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 50 years, John Larry Bäck; two loving sons, John (Tanya) and Charles (Cheryl); her eldest sister, Dr. Phila L. Crane; and her beloved grandchildren, Anna, Nick, Mariah, Hudson, Cameron and Lillian. She is predeceased by her parents and her dear sister and brother-in-law, Amy and James Robertson.

Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2017, at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Chapel, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida with service following at 11:00 a.m. A family burial service will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park, 724 Hogan Rd. Rossville, Georgia.

www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com