In Memoriam: Mary Appleton Jaycox

Oct. 23, 1964 – Dec. 14, 2023

On Dec. 14, 2023, our family and community lost a cherished soul when Mary Louise Appleton Jaycox passed away at the age of 59. She was a bright light in the lives of so many and a pillar of strength as she fought a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer.

Mary was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Oct. 23, 1964. She grew up in the capital city of Ottawa and later returned to Toronto to earn her bachelor’s degree in radio and television arts at Ryerson University. In 1987, she married the love of her life, William Russell Jaycox, and moved to Jacksonville, Florida. 

Mary loved traveling the world and exploring new places. Her favorites included her time spent in India vaccinating children against polio, in Africa white water rafting down the Zambezi River, and drinking and eating her way through Italy and France. Always having been a creative person, these travels fueled her other great passion, interior design. She carefully curated many homes for her family and others, taking great pride and joy in the beauty she created around her. 

Mary was kind, compassionate and always put others before herself. She was the most dedicated mother, wife and friend, spending much of her energy on raising her three children and ushering them into adulthood. She was always there for her family, no matter what, sacrificing every weekend to attend soccer tournaments, encouraging her children to move across the world for a year-long exchange program, and always supporting their wildest dreams. She instilled in them a sense of determination and encouraged them to embrace their gifts. She led by example as a loving, humble, passionate, perseverant and patient person. 

Mary was a tenacious researcher to ensure her family’s health and well-being, always won in trivia and was a brilliant day trader in the stock market. She enjoyed playing tennis, walking her dogs, Moose and Jasper, a good Cabernet and quality time with her friends and family. Mary loved San Marco, of which she was a resident for 39 years, and was involved in the community, including reestablishing Granada Fest in the early 90s. 

When Mary contracted Lyme Disease from a tick in Africa, she became a board member of the Florida Lyme Disease Association and dedicated herself to supporting others who were suffering from Lyme in the hope that her experience would help others avoid the struggles and challenges she encountered.

She is survived by her adoring husband, her children, Noelle Jaycox Acosta (Alexei), Shannon Jaycox, and William “Randy” Jaycox; her grandchild, Avery Acosta, and soon-to-be-born second grandson, all of Jacksonville, Florida. She is also survived by her mother, Edith Kathleen Appleton. She was preceded in death by her father, Jack Wayne Appleton (2020), and sister, Corinne Elizabeth Appleton (2011). 

She was laid to rest at Hardage-Giddens Oaklawn Cemetery on Wednesday, Dec. 20 in Jacksonville, Florida.