Celestina "Tina" Gifford Fagan

Ocala - Tina Fagan, 86, passed into the gentle arms of our loving God Monday June 10, 2024 in her Ocala home. Tina was born August 26, 1937 in Fall River, Massachusetts. Tina was the cherished first child of Verne Elroy Gifford, a Quaker from Maine, and Celestina Tavares Gifford, a Roman Catholic with roots in The Azores. Tina grew up visiting family in rural Maine, including the Goodwill Hinkley Home for Boys and Girls, where her paternal grandparents lived and worked. At the age of 10, her family relocated to Palatka and later to DeLand, Florida.

Tina attended Boston Elementary School and graduated from DeLand High School in 1954 . At DHS, Tina was an active member of Keyettes, Future Homemakers of America, Dramatics Club, and Spanish Club. She also served on the Athenian Yearbook Staff, and alongside her dear friend Lucy Briggs, played the cornet in the high school band, achieving the rank of Second Sergeant. Her talented band director John Heney had studied and played with John Philip Sousa.

In 1958, Tina earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Florida State University, graduating at age 20. During her college tenure, she was a proud member of Phi Mu Sorority and played cornet with the F.S.U. Marching Chiefs. Upon graduation, she began her teaching career in Miami, and subsequently in Umatilla, Florida.

June 20, 1959, Tina celebrated Holy Matrimony with the love of her life, Larry Fagan, at St Peter Catholic Church of DeLand. The newlyweds settled in Umatilla, before moving to Ocala in 1962 where Larry became manager of Marion County Florida Farm Bureau Insurance. A dedicated homemaker, Tina maintained her teaching certification by enrolling at Central Florida Community College in a variety of courses. Amongst her studies were Music Appreciation, Statistics, and Spanish.

Tina was deeply involved in her community and contributed to numerous organizations including the Ocala Trinity Villas Board, Hospice of Marion County, Meals On Wheels, Epsilon Sigma Alpha, PEO, and Royal Dames. As the spouse of a retired Navy Captain and United States Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer, Tina supported her husband’s pursuits, developing relationships with the young talent and frequently entertaining in their home.

A devout Roman Catholic, Tina was an active member of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, as well as Our Lady of The Springs. Tina offered her lovely alto voice and guitar skills to the “Psalt” ensemble and served as a cantor. Together with Larry, she passionately worked in Pre-Cana ministry, the Cursillo movement, Kairos prison ministry, and Kairos Outside. She “grouped” weekly with dear Cursillo friends for a time of sharing, prayer, and growth. Tina was rooted in a deep abiding faith.

Tina was an accomplished seamstress from an early age, with a flare for precision. Her father made a pact with her to provide all the fabric she desired to pursue her passion for sewing. She crafted her college wardrobe, including ball gowns, and later sewed matching outfits for her daughters and their dolls. Tina enjoyed various arts and crafts including knitting, crocheting, and assembling intricate beaded Christmas ornaments. The family celebrated an annual tradition of making and decorating Christmas sugar cookies.

A devoted mother and grandmother, Tina was always deeply involved in her loved one’s lives. She blessed her family by being actively interested in their passions. This led her to becoming a Girl Scout leader, participating in camping trips, learning to cantor and play guitar, braving the wilds hiking in the Blue Ridge, international folk dancing, and cultural immersion traveling.

Her own passion for competitive tennis was well known, celebrated for her intense net game. A familiar intensity was experienced by all who played Dominos with her, where she exercised her exceedingly high math aptitude. Tina’s fierce competitiveness was balanced by her love of laughter and fun.

Tina enjoyed beautiful relationships throughout her life. Quick to laugh, sensitive, and fun, with a listening ear and heart, people of all ages and interests were naturally drawn to her. She was an elegant natural hostess, seeking to ensure all in her company were comfortable and welcome.

Tina adored her husband, daughters and grandchildren, developing deep, treasured relationships with each. Cherished family meals were a priority at home. Together with Larry, Tina shared a passion for travel, discovery, and learning. From the pristine high country of North Carolina to the wilds of Australia, from the sugar sand of New Smyrna Beach to the exotic sights/sounds/smells of China, their explorations are indeed too numerous to name. Summer of 2019, Larry and Tina celebrated their 60 th wedding anniversary on a Romantic Villages of the Alps tour: a true love story.

Tina is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Larry, her dear parents, her younger brother Joseph Marshall Gifford, and numerous treasured dear friends.

Tina is survived by her devoted, loving daughters Kelly Elisabeth Fagan of DeLand and Lynda Marie Fagan of Ocala; sister-in-law June Claire Meyer of New Smyrna Beach; grandchildren Alexander Ross Bocim of San Diego, and Candace Lyn Bocim of Colorado; nephew Ralph Michael Grimm of Frankfurt, Germany; niece K-Lea Gifford of Colorado; nephew Russ Meyer of Palm City and niece Laura Meyer Grace of Maryland.

A Visitation will be held Friday August 30, 2024, 6:15 to 8 pm in The Chapel of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church. Holy Mass of Remembrance will be celebrated Saturday August 31, 2024, 10 am, Blessed Trinity Catholic Church, Father Bill Zamborsky and Patrick Sheedy officiating. Interment will follow on Monday September 2, 2024 at 9:00 am at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL.

In memoriam, the family requests donations be offered in Tina’s name to the PEO Sisterhood, Chapter GZ of Ocala, earmarked for the International Peace Scholarship.