Mary J Fay

Mary (“Molly”) was born on June 18, 1932 in the Bronx, NY to Albert and Cecilia (Rogers) Matteis. The family lived in Manhattan through her elementary years until moving to Norwalk, Ct. Mary graduated from Norwalk High School in 1950 and attended Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School. Shortly thereafter, she was hired by Edwards Company in Norwalk. In 1957, Mary moved with her family to the “new”, “sleepy” beach town of Boca Raton, FL. There a friend encouraged her to apply for a position as a “Stewardess” for Eastern Airlines. She was hired and her life would never be the same. In early 1960, Mary met Eastern Pilot/Flight Engineer, John Fay, from Bayside NY while working a trip. They married later that year and re-settled in Norwalk. Patricia was born in 1961 and John Michael III in 1965. Mary was a dedicated mother and homemaker. A true “people person”…no one was a stranger. She had a great sense of humor. She enjoyed her large extended family and many, many friends … She was an avid golfer, boater and “die hard” Yankees and NY Giant’s (football) fan. Mary was also a spiritual person and found peace regularly attending Catholic Church.

In 1977, the family moved to Plantation, Florida. They made their home in Jacaranda Country Club…adopted the South Florida sports teams...And for many years had season tickets to both the Miami Dolphins and UM football. In 1989, in search of a new adventure, the husband-wife team co-founded Professional Flight Training at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. PFT became a leading provider of commercial pilot training in South Florida and since inception has trained thousands of commercial aviators from all over the world. The school was sold to CTI Aviation in 2014. Mary was always an integral part of school operations. She was the “Chief Ambassador for Customer Experience” until her retirement at age 87 in 2019. She never needed to work… she loved to work. And especially loved working with the young students & guiding them as they started their new careers! She touched the lives and hearts of many!

In her later years, Mary’s greatest treasures were her grandchildren. She was truly a second mother to them. A part of their everyday lives and they adored her.

Mary is predeceased by her husband ,John and brother, Albert J Matteis.

She is survived by her daughter Patricia (Gary) Ross of Weston, Fl, and son John Michael III of Boca Raton Fl. She is also survived by her grandchildren Christopher Ross, Katherine Ross, Jacalyn Fay, and John Michael Fay IV.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am, on Wednesday, April 5th 2023 at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, 1301 SW 136th Ave, Davie Fl 33325. Increment and reception immediately following at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens/Pyramid, 2401 Davie Road, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. (dignitymemorial.com)

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in her memory.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestlawnsouth.com for the family of Mary Fay.