Mary J. Labyak
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Mary J. Labyak

  • August 27, 1948 - February 4, 2012
  • Clearwater, Florida
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Memories & Candles

“Having met Mary through John and Holli we were fortunate enough to be in her company while vacationing in Florida, many years ago. We offer our...Read More » ”
1 of 9 | Posted by: Sharon and Jim Mccallum

Lake Chatuge, GA where nature beckons all to rest. “Mary was my rock, inspiration and tender heart. I am ever grateful for the gift of employment at Hospice at getting to know Mary and her passion for...Read More » ”
2 of 9 | Posted by: Lorrie Cervello - Hiawassee, GA

old friends “As I listen to the music here, I am filled with amazing grace thinking of Mary; of her style, her class, her elegance and her rich legacy... A...Read More » ”
3 of 9 | Posted by: Sherry E Showalter - FL

“I am sad to see someone as young and vital as Mary struck down in the prime of her life. ”
4 of 9 | Posted by: Philip and Joanne Losinski - MN

“Mary will remain in my heart and my life just as she always was; the kind of person I aspire to be like & a sense of humor that would brighten my day...Read More » ”
5 of 9 | Posted by: Becky Dean - Clearwater, FL

“To know Mary is to love her, she became more than a neighbor, she has given to so many people that she will always be missed. My family's heart goes...Read More » ”
6 of 9 | Posted by: Carol Grimmer - Clearwater, FL

“You will be missed terribly. Your dream about getting people to understand that it is not about dying but about celebrating life has inspired us all....Read More » ”
7 of 9 | Posted by: Tom Robbins - Largo, FL

“To Pat and family...our deepest sympathies on the loss of Mary. She was a vibrant, wonderful lady who will be greatly missed! She touched more lives...Read More » ”
8 of 9 | Posted by: Yvette Klausch - Palm Harbor, FL

“On behalf of our entire staff, we are honored to serve such a tremendous lady. ”
9 of 9 | Posted by: Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home


  • Mary and her brothers John and Pat
  • Mary and Taft with her brother John and his wife Holli and her brother Pat and his wife Cindy
  • Mary and her nieces Mackenzie and Courtney and her sister-in-law Holli
  • The "Old Hospice Broads" What Hospice has learned from, and what we have lost.

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LLabyak, Mary J. , 63, died Sat., Feb. 4 in the tender care of those she spent her life mentoring, members of a Suncoast Hospice patient and family care team. She is survived by her beloved companion Taft Abras, brothers Pat Clark (Cindy), John Clark (Holli), and Dan Clark (Traci), nieces Courtney Konieczka (Tom) and Macki Clark, nephew Brian Clark, extended family, friends and those with whom she shared her life's work – the staff and volunteers of Suncoast Hospice.

Mary was born August 27, 1948. She grew up in Ontonagon, Mi. and Milwaukee, WI. and was taught in her early childhood to care about others. She was a graduate of Mount Mary College and received a master's degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin.

She was president and CEO of Pinellas County's community hospice, Suncoast Hospice, nearly from the time it was founded 35 years ago. Known nationally and internationally as a visionary in hospice and palliative care, Mary was one of the social architects credited for shaping compassionate end-of-life care in the United States. She was recognized in hospice and legislative circles as a staunch advocate on behalf of dying persons and their families, always encouraging advances and innovations in end-of-life care. She, along with other hospice pioneers, convinced Congress to adopt the hospice Medicare benefit.

She was a founder of Suncoast Solutions, a software company that has enhanced her vision of quality hospice care and serves one in four hospice patients throughout our 50 states. She was called upon for countless leadership roles, served as chair of the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO) and Florida Hospices & Palliative Care Organization (FHPCO). At the time of her death, she was chair of the National Hospice Foundation (NHF) and co-chair of the capital campaign for the National Center for Care at the End of Life. She was appointed to the Florida Panel on End-of-life Care, established by the state legislature and active on the boards and committees of many local and national organizations, such as Duke University End of Life Institute and the American Academy of Medical Administrators. She was the recipient of numerous awards, including NHF's prestigious Healthcare Architect award in 2011.

Mary was well known for her wisdom, wit and down-to-earth approach in all aspects of her life. She leaves a rich legacy in her body of her work and will be greatly missed. Services in celebration of Mary's life will be announced soon. Memorial donations may be made to the Mary J. Labyak Legacy Fund at https://www.thehospicefoundation.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=818 or be sent to Suncoast Hospice, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, Fl., 33760. To view Mary J. Labyak- "A Legacy of Leadership" please go to http://www.thehospice.org/MaryLabyak