Marie Yvonne Foy

Marie Yvonne Foy passed away on December 24, 2023 due to complications arising from COVID-19 and pneumonia. She was born July 6, 1931 in Jacksonville Beach, FL, the second oldest of eight children to loving parents Robert Moses and Catherine (Oldham) Foy.

Marie Yvonne came of age in the 1950s. Never one to conform, she rejected the norms of marriage and children by forging her own path as a career woman. She started as an accountant for General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) and was later promoted to Accounting Office Manager. She remained a staunch supporter of General Motors and enjoyed showing off her new GM vehicle each year.

Marie Yvonne was a passionate sports fan from an early age. In her tradition of defying the odds and expectations, she became an avid bowler and golfer despite the lack of playing opportunities available to girls and women. She coached junior high girls' basketball teams and encouraged future generations of girls to follow their sporting passions. She was a loyal fan of the Atlanta Braves and Florida Gators, and closely followed men and women's pro golf.

If sports had Marie Yvonne's heart, the Catholic faith had her soul. A devout Catholic since youth, she was a punctual and reliable attendee of Mass. She found beauty in the pageantry and rituals of Catholic Mass and was quick to point out any deviation from tradition. Her lively spirit was matched only by her generosity. Marie Yvonne dedicated her time and talents by offering her accounting skills to St. Paul’s Church in Jacksonville Beach, volunteering for the Catholic Christian Workforce and working at St. Vincent de Paul and St. Paul’s Thrift Shops. She served as President, Secretary, and Treasurer for Jax Beach Ladies Golf Association and numerous bowling leagues.

Never one to be silent on things that mattered to her, Marie Yvonne spoke up for her political and religious beliefs, rarely holding back an opinion. She kept her mind sharp and frequently enjoyed lively debates with her nieces and nephews on issues of the day. She enjoyed researching her family tree and building a record of her family’s history.

As the honorary matriarch, Marie Yvonne was deeply involved in the lives of her beloved friends and family - celebrating their accomplishments, encouraging their ambitions, and offering wisdom and kindness whenever needed. Her presence filled the room at holidays and gatherings where she would bask in the love and laughter of what mattered most to her--family. Marie Yvonne received loving messages from over 70 family and close friends while she was in the hospital. She proudly shared how much this warmed her heart.

To many of us Marie Yvonne was a sage advisor, teacher, and an inspiration. She encouraged us to work hard and write our own futures, no matter how challenging. She modeled how to live loudly and boldly, to enjoy good food and good company, to make time for the things that matter to us, to share our passions and talents, to leave room for dessert, to arrive early and leave when ready, to speak one's mind, to hold family close and God even closer.

Marie Yvonne was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Leslie, Larry and Joe Foy. She is survived by her sisters, Rosalie Andrews and Catherine Krause; her brothers, Cecil and Bob Foy; and her many, many nieces and nephews, friends and loved ones. May she rest peacefully and continue to hold us all beneath her wings.

A funeral service for Marie will be held Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 12:00 PM at St. Pauls Catholic Church, 523 Pablo Ave, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. Following the funeral service will be a committal service at 3:00 PM at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 SAN JOSE BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32207.