Mary Dianne Fowler

Mary Dianne Fowler (Shea), 70, of Fleming Island, Florida, passed away peacefully at Community Hospice on May 19, 2026. She was a devoted sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, and she will be deeply missed.

Mary was born in Alton, Illinois on July 17, 1955, to Jerome and Martha Shea. She was sixth of eight children (Karen, Margaret [Peggy], Michael, Jerome, Patrick, Dennis, Molly) with her twin, Dennis, dying shortly after birth. Mary was a fighter from the beginning – she weighed only 3 lbs at birth and was born during a power outage. In 1966 her parents left Illinois for Florida, settling in Jacksonville’s Arlington neighborhood. Mary graduated from Terry Parker High School in 1973 and matriculated at the University of Florida, where she met her future husband, John Debs Fowler.

Mary and John married in 1976 and resided in Jacksonville near their immediate families. Mary worked as an international operator for AT&T and performed with an amateur acting troupe with roles in My Fair Lady, Pirates of Penzance, and Grease. Mary and John had their first son, John Shea, in 1979 and twins, Michael Anthony and Stephen O’Neill, in 1983. In 1984, the couple made the difficult decision to move to Atlanta so Mary could continue employment with AT&T. The years 1984-1991 were characterized by Mary’s determination to succeed as a professional woman in a business arena that was heavily dominated by men.

The family relocated back to Jacksonville in 1991 and finally settled in Fleming Island. The late nineties were a difficult time for Mary, as she struggled with mental health issues. Mary took up ballroom dancing and began volunteering for local mental health organizations. John proved to be her rock during this period, never wavering in his devotion to her.

After 2000, Mary saw the births of eight grandchildren: Juliet, Kyleigh, John, Patrick, Alexander, Harrison, Andrew, and Cooper. She delighted in doting on her grandkids. They shared hot cocoa at Christmastime and cooled off at the neighborhood pool during the summer. In 2020, husband John was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and Mary took over as his full-time caregiver. She took care of him with faithfulness and dedication. During this time, Mary poured herself into her new hobby of painting, which she grew into her own business, Mary’s Art Designs. With John’s passing in 2024, Mary lost the love of her life and began a new chapter centered on her relationships with many close friends.

Mary will be remembered for her kindness, her generosity, and for deeply loving those close to her. She was fearless and never hesitated to share an unpopular opinion. Mary was a dedicated champion of women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and the basic humanity of all people. She was a life-long patron of the arts, especially the theater, and she always looked elegant. Mary was a strong-minded, independent woman who deeply touched the lives of all who knew her. She was well-loved by her family and friends and will be sincerely missed.

A Memorial Service will be held at St Catherine's Catholic Church, 1649 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073, on June 9, 2026, at 11:00 am. with inurnment to follow in Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207.

A Reception to follow Committal Service will be held at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Legacy Lodge, 4801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207.