Birth date: Apr 9, 1942 Death date: Apr 23, 2024
Mary Dianne Eby: April 9, 1942 – April 23, 2024 Mary Dianne Eby, 82 from Miami, Florida passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 23rd surrounded by the love of her family. She was many things in her life, but above all, Mary was a Read Obituary
When I moved to Miami one of my first set of friends that I made was Mary Ann and Tony. Their Mom (Mary) welcomed me to their home and always drove us everywhere we wanted to go in her green little Amc Gremlin. She was always kind, sweet and funny. A truly beautiful lady inside and out. Thank you for your love and kindness. Your loving ways were absolutely passed to both Mary Ann and Tony. Rest easy, you will live on forever in thoughts and memories.
There are so many memories of Mary I wouldn’t know where to begin. We sure had a lot of laughs when we were neighbors back in the 70’s off Bird Rd & 114th Ave. whenever her & I would talk about those times we would laugh so hard. Her obituary was beautiful MaryAnn & Anthony or whoever contributed. My heart goes out to her family. She will be missed big time.
Chris & Mike Jacques
Mary Dianne Eby: April 9, 1942 – April 23, 2024
Mary Dianne Eby, 82 from Miami, Florida passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 23rd surrounded by the love of her family. She was many things in her life, but above all, Mary was a joy to all who were lucky enough to know her. Some people light up a room when they enter, but Mary, with her beauty and a smile that went straight to the heart, had a way of lighting up each person in the room from the inside.
She brought a keen sense of humor and a strong intellect to every situation. Even in a life that brought hardships, Mary was steadfastly and admirably, a woman who forged ahead and was ahead of her time. Not that she would boast about that, because as much as she was a supportive and effusive ally to others, she was much more modest about herself and all she had accomplished and overcome in her life. She would tell you her stories, but never to brag, only to teach from her experiences and ensure her family histories would live on.
Mary and her three brothers, Bud, Jack and Duane “Toot” hailed from a very lively family of musicians. Her father, John “Jack” W. Eby, played the saxophone and was regarded as a prodigy. From his teenage years through to his death, he played on stage, trains, Broadway, Tommy Dorsey Band, clubs in NYC & Chicago and throughout the Florida Keys. He owned a jazz club in downtown Miami as well where Mary used to help. Jack’s family were originally from Ohio and Kentucky with a long history of military officers, generals and soldiers dating back to the late 1600’s.
Her mother, Peggy Olive Day-Eby, was born in Harlan, Kentucky and one of four daughters raised the Appalachian way. Her lineage comes from England and Ireland, with a long line of military generals and captains who were part of the success of the American Revolutionary War and are buried in national cemeteries throughout the 13 colonies.
Mary got her good looks, yearn for life and positive outlook from her mother Peggy and her musical talent from her father Jack. She also got her tenacity from her mom and grandfather Green Day. Peggy’s father was ahead of his time. He built a mixed race & gender school at the turn of the century in 1900’s. He was the sole caregiver to his four girls, his parents and various relatives in the area. He also worked in the mines and as a telegrapher. He fought for freedom for all people and spent the majority of his life protecting his own and those who needed it.
Peggy, at age 14, was the first from her small Appalachian town to walk across the state to attend Berea College. In search of higher education, she lied about her age to live there and attend classes. She was an inspiration to Mary and the two were as you say, “as thick as mud.” Mary and Peggy lived together the last 10 years of Peggy’s life enjoying time at church, cooking, and time with family.
Mary was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Her early years 1943-1966 were spent living just off Flagler and 45th Avenue. At age 19, she married her first love and became a mother for the first time. Mary would later remarry and have two more children in her life. She considered her role as a mother her most treasured and was devoted to her family.
Mary’s life eventually led her to live in the Florida Keys, a place she truly loved for several decades.
Mary, a self-taught guitar player, wrote songs for most of her adult life. She would often sing them at church and for her children and her friends, something everyone enjoyed.
Mary is survived by her children Thomas Sorrentino, Mary D Pecorino, and Anthony J Pecorino. As well as her four grandchildren: Steven A Saumell, Joseph Pecorino, Megan Pecorino, and Dylan Pecorino.
Her family and friends will pay tribute to her at Memorial Plan on May 5th, 2024, at 6pm to 8pm. She will be laid to rest on May 6th at 10am at Flagler Memorial Park, Elks Garden.
