Mary Frances Fagan
Mary Frances Fagan

Mary Frances Fagan, who served in the American Airlines corporate PR department for 23 years, died Feb. 4 of complications from brain cancer. She was 63.

Based in Chicago, Fagan crafted and implemented PR activities in key AA markets such as Boston, Washington, St. Louis, Washington and Los Angeles. She also was assigned to handle key projects in for key London and Tokyo.

Fagan left the airline in 2014 to launch Fagan Communications.

She began her career as statehouse bureau chief for WUIS-FM in Springfield, IL. That experience led to the political realm. Fagan served as assistant press secretary for Illinois Governors Jim Thompson and Jim Edgar.

Thompson told the Chicago Tribune that Fagan “was able to combine smart policy with a wonderful attitude toward people.”

She was a friend to hundreds and understood friendship better than most, said Thompson.

A memorial service is being planned for April.