Morgan Catherine Day of Upper Marlboro, Maryland passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the age of 57, after a short battle with ovarian cancer. Morgan had recently been staying with her parents in Southwestern Florida to undergo treatment, and was in Florida at the time of her passing. She was with her loving immediate family: Peter Michael Day and Janet Doris Deniger Day, both of Land O’Lakes, Florida, and her only sibling, Meara Cathleen Day (married to Michael John Williams) of Petaluma, California. Morgan is survived by many, many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and cousins’ children, and by her only nephew, Owen Day Williams.
Morgan was born on March 24, 1965, in Coronado, California, where her father had been stationed as a Naval officer. The family soon moved back to the East Coast, to Maryland, and she spent all of her childhood and adult life living in Largo and then Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Morgan and her sister spent most of their summers in childhood and early adolescence with their maternal grandmother and extended family in Taunton, Massachusetts, with occasional summertime visits to see their paternal extended family in Rumford, Maine. Morgan and her sister spent those idyllic summer days swimming in their grandmother and grandfather’s pool, going to the beaches on Cape Cod, picking blueberries by the gallon, helping their grandmother bake, visiting various doting aunties and uncles, and playing with cousins. One adventurous summer when Morgan was about 14, she and her sister flew to Iceland to stay with their maternal Aunt Diane and her family, who were then living on a Naval base in Keflavik. They spent that summer visiting waterfalls, glaciers and hot springs and riding shaggy Icelandic ponies. Morgan loved animals and they were always drawn to her, too, seeming to sense a kindred gentle spirit. She had a remarkable talent for drawing and painting. In high school, Morgan’s art teacher selected her to paint the portrait of a school faculty member as a retirement gift.
Morgan graduated from Largo High School and went on to earn an Associate’s degree in Office Management and Word Processing from Prince George’s Community College in Largo, Maryland. She bought a townhouse in Upper Marlboro and dedicated her career to working for the federal government in administrative roles in Washington, D.C.—first for the Library of Congress and then for many years for the Federal Aviation Administration. Morgan was loved and appreciated by her colleagues and adored by her close friends in Maryland. Although Morgan could be quiet, she had a wicked sense of humor, a real love of fun, and a sense of playfulness. She loved to hear live music and was a terrific dancer. She loved to dress up with friends in hilarious Halloween costumes, go to the Renaissance Festival, go to drag brunches, and get into very innocent trouble. She was a loyal, loving friend, daughter, sister, niece, cousin, and aunt. She will be missed terribly by everyone who knew her.
Morgan’s family is planning a celebration of life gathering in the spring or summer of 2023, and will make those details available at a later date to friends, family and co-workers. Her family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Morgan’s memory to either of the following worthy organizations:
Chapters Health System HPH Hospice https://lifepathhospice.chaptershealth.org/HPHGeneralDonation
OCRA Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance https://ocrahope.org/give
robert yanity
February 8, 2023, 5:09 pm
We are both saddened by your loss. May strength and love be with you. Prayers are being sent.
Leslie Lewis
February 8, 2023, 7:58 pm
I am so saddened at this news. I work in the FAA and worked for several years in the Correspondence Branch where Morgan was a very responsive, very friendly, very sweet contact. She was always helpful and though I never had the opportunity to meet her in person, she has left a lasting impression that will not soon be forgotten. My condolences to her family and loved ones.
Nick Toaso
February 8, 2023, 8:15 pm
Please accept my sincere condolences to Morgan’s family with her tragic loss. Morgan worked with me from 2020-2022 in the FAA and I am very saddened by this news. Morgan was so sweet and a pleasure to work with. I used to kid with her that her name “Morgan Day” could be a rock band name and that always made her laugh. She built many relationships in her years working in the FAA and I am honored that I was able to be part of that group – all of us that were lucky enough to know her will miss her very much.
John Benning
February 8, 2023, 8:31 pm
My sincere condolences to Morgan’s family.
I worked with Morgan during her tenure with the FAA International Program Division and enjoyed her great sense of humor and positive outlook. I can say without reservation that Morgan was one of the nicest people I have ever known.
She was an outstanding colleague and friend and will be missed.
Mavilia
February 8, 2023, 8:36 pm
That is a beautiful obituary. Morgan was only 12 years old when my family first met Morgan. She lived two doors down from us and we used her many times to baby sit Melonie, Craig and Chris. Since then my Wife Linda and Melonie developed life long friendships with Morgan . Living in Largo we had many close family, friends and neighbors who we are still close with. It’s hard to believe that Morgan is gone. She will be missed by all that knew her.
Tom Weatherman
February 8, 2023, 8:40 pm
Morgan you will always be in my thoughts, especially during Monday night wrestling! : ) My heart felt condolences and prayer’s to the family!!
Until we see each other again.
Heywood Shirer
February 8, 2023, 9:12 pm
I knew Morgan from the time I joined the FAA back in 2001 until I retired in April, 2022. She was a wondering and caring person, always looking out for the needs of others. She was taken from us to soon, and my thoughts and prayers are with her family. Always keep her in your memories. I will never forget her.
Linda Mavilia
February 8, 2023, 9:18 pm
This is a beautiful tribute to Morgan. She was such an amazing friend and we had many wonderful adventures together. She started out being my best babysitter to my best friend. Her and I shared our love for game nights, karaoke, renaissance festivals and music, especially our favorite band, Seven Nations. She was the best dance partner ever.
I will miss her wicked sense of humor, her laugh, and her hugs the most. She was a significant part of my family. My heart goes out to Janet, Mike, Meara and family and friends.
My heart is broken, she was taken so young and unexpectedly. I’ll remember you always dear sweet Morgan.
Dan Chong
February 8, 2023, 9:21 pm
Morgan was the first friendly face I met when I first came into the FAA for my interview back in 2010 and she was always a joy to touch base with at the FAA until the pandemic hit. She was quiet but once you got to know her, you knew she was a riot. She was fun-loving, down-to-earth, caring, fiercely loyal and had a great sense of humor with a zest for life. She would often tell me about going to Florida to see family and friends while also fan-girling over her favorite Irish music band who used to play in Tampa nearby. She would bring in her famous ambrosia and ceasar salads that were always a hit at the office potlucks. I think what I remember most fondly is how we would joke around until we were crying from laughter. Morgan and the joy she brings to others will be sorely missed. My deepest condolences to her family, which I knew were very close and dear to her.
Arnie Roholt
February 8, 2023, 9:46 pm
My sincerest condolences to all loved one’s left behind. Mogan was kind, gentle and had an incredible sense of humor. Always present at our 0700 coffee meetings and always put up with us regardless. She is greatly missed.
Melonie
February 8, 2023, 9:46 pm
I will think of you often. You were a wonderful friend. One of the best. You were like family to me and mine. Evie will miss you as well. You were there when she first saw the sea and had her first taste of ice cream. I will never sing a karaoke song without thinking of you. You will be in my heart forever. I love you. ❤️ Melonie (Manbearpig)
Janice and William Zerbe
February 9, 2023, 2:39 am
Beautiful young lady taken far too soon. I remember visiting Dade City with Morgan during Christmas and also attending a jazz concert. She was fun to be with. Prayers to your family for strength during this time.
Danuta Pronczuk
February 9, 2023, 4:06 pm
Such sad news, my deepest condolences. Morgan was so kind and generous, a good listener and a subject matter expert, to include editing so many of our international letters, memos etc. into tip top shape, FedExing so many important documents to ensure safety in the National Airspace System and abroad was maintained at the highest level. There was always a stack of correspondence documents on her desk needing handling. She knew who did what, expertly connected so many internal and external stakeholders to each other, advancing FAA’s safety mission. At her desk she kept her family close. She loved to read, a great cook, supported all of our team building events, a beautiful person inside and out, a great loss to the FAA family.
Respectfully,
Danuta
Brian Morris
February 9, 2023, 6:57 pm
I am shocked and saddened hearing this news. No matter who came through the front doors of our office Morgan would always turn around and greet you with a smile. Thoughts and prayers to the family. I will light a candle tonight in her honor. May she rest in peace.
Luis and Olga Rivera
February 13, 2023, 9:26 pm
Mike and Janet, we were shocked and saddened to hear of Morgan’s passing. May God grant you peace and give you comfort during this sad time.
Love you,
Brenda Peterson
February 15, 2023, 4:50 pm
To Morgan’s sister Meara, parents and the rest of her family.
My heartfelt condolences are with you. Words alone cannot express how I felt about her loss. Her teammates and I are sadden and devastated by her sudden loss. It was truly a pleasure knowing and working with Morgan and I will truly miss her.
Delores
February 17, 2023, 4:46 am
While Morgan was quite young, her family lived in the apartment that adjoined ours. We were very involved in one another’s lives. Because it was easy to check on sleeping children at home, both couples felt comfortable in spending the evening next door while we talked and enjoyed desserts and wine. The summer of 1967, Morgan was 2. Our daughter was 9, going on 10. Sabrina enjoyed playing with little Morgan. We thought of her as the most beautiful little girl any of us had ever seen. We delighted in seeing Mike’s glow when he’d come in with Morgan and was remembering the compliments and admiring gazes the two of them had received. In early September, Sabrina helped me mind Morgan while her mother was birthing Meara.
Janet’s youngest sister visited during the summers. Sabrina anticipated these times because she and Denise were the same age. The older girls enjoyed their fun together, as well as with the little girls. Though we couples moved apart long ago, we’ve exchanged many updates. Reading this beautiful tribute to Morgan’s life has filled us in on some of what we’ve not known, one thing being her gift for drawing and painting.
Of most importance now is how sorry our family feels in knowing dear Morgan is gone. We know that everyone who knew her will miss her greatly. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy in your untimely loss.
Roseanne Rachuta
February 25, 2023, 12:08 am
Dear Mike & Janet, so so sorry to hear this, our prayers & thoughts are with you both & your family.
Bobby & Roseanne Rachuta
Meg McAbee
March 1, 2023, 5:48 pm
I was so saddened today to hear the news of Morgan’s passing. I was an extended co-worker of Morgan’s at the Federal Aviation Administration, where she took her job and her role very seriously. She will be missed.
Meg McAbee