Jaye Halberg Egan
1963 - 2016
Jaye Katherine Egan, 53, of Palm City, FL, passed away on Friday, December 31, 2016 at the Treasure Coast Hospice, Harper House, Stuart, FL. Jaye, beloved by all, truly, was born February 20, 1963 in Hartford Connecticut, in a major snowstorm, daughter of Dale and Joan Halberg.
Ten years junior to her next sibling, Jaye was a miracle and delight to her entire family. It is impossible to describe the joy she brought everyone, her humor, her natural beauty, her effortlessly easygoing manner in all that she did, her grace under pressure, the sheer pleasure of her company, and her constant quick wit, matched only by husband. For how many people can you name in life with whom you have never had a cross word? Only positive interactions? She had more fun in life than anyone you will ever meet. That was Jaye. Her beloved husband Tom can only remember two arguments in twenty-five years!
Growing up in Connecticut, she loved the natural wonders of Connecticut including the Connecticut shore, skiing on small mountains and the historic beauty of the state. She and her husband, Tom, decided to leave Hartford where he was a successful lawyer and move to the bucolic village of Brooklyn, Connecticut where Tom's family home was, and where he could be the town lawyer and Jaye, his paralegal. Jaye, who never met a stranger, was quickly drafted into local politics and served in several roles, including as Chair of parks and recreation, member of Board of Finance and, given her considerable charm and natural political skills, was asked to run for First Selectman by both the Republican and Democratic Parties. She declined to the regret of many. In her thirties, when she decided she wanted to spend more time with Tom who loved golf she discovered the natural talent that her father gave her. Her golfing skills flourished and she was good enough to go pro amateur.
Nothing that Jaye did in public life, however, matched her role as an incredible mother. In this regard, she was resourceful, inventive, demanding of high standards, and a practitioner of tough love. Jaye's three children, Jessica, Katherine and Sam were always her first priorities. And the love and affection they all feel for one another and the wonderful people they have become is yet another testament to her magnificent mothering skills.
Jaye and Tom retired to Florida about 12 years ago, where they could play a lot of golf, raise their racing horses and flee the cold Connecticut winters. Not long after they got there, Jaye started working at the Martin Health Care Systems. She loved her work there and the people who surrounded her. Tom concentrated on golf and the horses. And as recently as August when their horse Macagone won a race in Sartaoga, Jaye proudly led him into the winner's circle. He was one of several of their successful horses, including one named Seven Day Jaye.
Jaye lost an incredibly courageous and wrenching battle with cancer after a 15 year fight. No one ever fought this disease with more pluck and courage. Death be not proud in the face of the life lived by Jaye. Death is no match for the incredible spirit of our wonderful wife, mother, sister, sister in law, and friend. It is with particular sadness that we acknowledge that her grandchildren will not know her, one of the unfairest blows of all. As she was , simply put, the loveliest person we knew. She has gone to be with the parents she loved and who loved her. God bless her. We miss her horribly. The most important thing in her life were her family, people, thoroughbred racing and her Irish setters.
Survivors include her husband of 21 years, Thomas J. Egan; her daughters, Katherine Piantoni and her husband Robert of Palm City and Jessica Unikewicz of Westerly, RI; her son, Samuel Hazel of Port St. Lucie; her sisters, Dana Halberg and her husband Laurance Pless of Atlanta GA and Leslie Flood of Portland, VT and her brother, Randy Halberg and his wife Sylvia of Saluda, VA: nieces and nephews, Tara (Nathan), Ethan (Kayla), Danielle, Lauren, Anna (Brett), David and Deane and several grand nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at the Forest Hills Funeral Homes Palm City, FL with a Vigil Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Palm City. Interment will follow immediately in Forest Hills Memorial Park, Palm City.
For those who wish, contributions may be made to the Belmont Child Care Association, Inc, 2150 Hempstead Turnpike, Belmont Park, Gate 6, Elmont, NY 11003, Tel: 516-488-2103 or on line at www.belmontchildcare.org in Jaye's memory.