Fancy was born to Joseph and Margaret Ahern in Akron. She was a member of St. Mary's Class of 1968. After graduation she worked for the Akron Beacon Journal and began taking classes at The University of Akron. She then went on to work
with the Catholic Youth Organization before entering the
religious community of Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, where she
remained for three years. During her time with the community, she
attended classes at Cleveland State University, where she completed her
undergraduate studies in Social Work while working at the Cuyahoga
County Jail. Upon graduation from Cleveland State in December of 1979,
Fancy continued to work at the jail until 1981 when she started a career
with Akron Children's Medical Center as a social worker in the
emergency room, Child Abuse Center and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. In
May of 1978, she earned a Masters Degree of Science in Social
Administration from Case Western University, and she was a licensed
Independent Social Worker of the State of Ohio. In 1990, Fancy joined forces with the Barberton City Schools, The University of Akron and colleagues from Akron Children's Medical Center in a cooperative venture to create Decker Family Development Center in Barberton. She served as the director for 14 years; a job which earned her the award of Barberton Community Foundation-Inaugural Citizen of the Year in 2000. Among her accomplishments, Fancy served as a Partner in Progress for the Oak Clinic; past Co-Chair of Akron Based Coalition; Summit County Early Intervention Collaboration; Preceptor, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine; Summit County Family and Children First Council; Barberton Salvation Army Advisory Board; Barberton Citizens Hospital Board of Trustee. In 2003, Fancy accepted the Thomas F Mahar Outstanding Alumni Award from her alma mater of St. Mary's for outstanding service to the community, an accomplishment that she was deeply touched and honored by.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Margaret Jean (Conway) Ahern and survived by Kevin (Resa) Ahern of Las Vegas, Terry Ahern of Akron, Tim (Sally) Ahern of San Diego, Rory (Anna) Ahern of Akron, Mollie (Dan) Ahern-Ball of Powell and Sean Ahern of Akron. She also leaves behind, her nieces and nephews, Steven, Shane, Samantha, Kevin, Brian, Patrick, Brenna, Michael, Nikki, Joe, Garrett, Rory, Liam, Aiden and Anthony as well as many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
A very special thank you to Helen Conway for all of her care and support, and to the staff and nurses of the Hospice of VNS for their amazing care.
Friends and family may call on Sunday, January 20th, 2013 between the hours of 3 and 7 p.m. at the Hummel Funeral Home, 500 E. Exchange St., Akron 44304. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, January 21st, 2013, 11 a.m. at St. Sebastian Catholic Church, 476 Mull Ave., Akron 44320. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Akron Children's Hospital, 1 Perkins Square, Akron 44308. Please visit www.hummelcares.com where condolences and memories may be shared.
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