When I was 14, Mari and Mark invited me to join the family for spring break in the Virgin Islands. Fiona and Maeve have been my closest friends since middle school, so getting to join the Potters on vacation was a huge gift.

One day we were at the beach, talking and relaxing in the sun, and the conversation drifted to the subject of freckles, and the family's generally fair skin. As a person with olive-colored skin, I never had many freckles, and was  waxing on about how I always wanted to be heavily freckled in the way they were, and I said one of my favorite quotes, "a girl without freckles is like a night without stars."

Fiona repeated the quote back to Mari, and said, "Madre, you'd be the universe."

I think about that moment a lot, and how true it was about everything Mari was and did. I loved her very much.

i was in senior seminar with her in 1980 at evanston township high school she always brought strength and boundless friendly positive energy whenever i saw her. i hope you eventually have nothing but sweet memories of her. her loss is unmeasurable. 

may you be blessed with healing  for family and friends. she will be missed. 

Uncle mark, Fiona, and Maeve,

I’m still thinking about you guys so much I hope you are all doing okay. Aunt Mari was so kind and inspiring. She gave amazing hugs and helped me figure out my own path. Our family gatherings won’t be the same without her. But know that we are all here for you if you need anything and I am so so sorry for your loss ❤️

The loss of Dr. Egan is felt far and wide within the family medicine community. She will always be remembered as an amazing physician, teacher, and most importantly friend. May her memory be a blessing to all that know her. 

Tabatha Wells, MD 

Dear Mark, Fiona, and Maeve,

My heart goes out to you as you process this unimaginable loss.  Mari was such a light in this world, a warrior for those she loved, and a fierce advocate for her passions.  She was part of what inspired me to choose Cook County Hospital for my family medicine residency, and I was so happy to be reunited with her at Saint Mary's.  I still can't believe I won't see her around the corner, in her Doc Martens, with her Diet Coke and her smile.  I will continue to hear her voice in my head, as I try to choose the right things for the right reasons.   She leaves a powerful legacy of commitment to social justice, to women's rights, to family medicine education, and to unconditional love.   With great sorrow and much love, Juliet