Mary Helen (Hardamon) Fagan, 89, of Beverly, Kansas, formerly of Houston, Texas, and Bremond, Texas, passed away on April 2, 2026.

Mary Helen was born February 19, 1937, in Flora, Louisiana, to Marshal Anderson Hardamon and Evelyn Gertrude (Desadier) Hardamon. She was the next-to-youngest of six children. In 1951, her family moved to Magnolia, Texas, where she graduated from Magnolia High School in 1955.

Soon after graduation, she began her career as a telephone operator with Lee Telephone, which later became Southwestern Bell. Her younger brother Earl would give her rides to and from work on his bicycle. In 1956, she met Larry Fagan on a blind date, and they married in 1957. They shared 47 years together until Larry’s death in 2004.

The early years of their married life were not easy. They were young, with no money and a growing family, but during their 47 years together, Mary Helen and Larry built their own home, buildings, shop, and barns on their property in northwest Houston. There they raised their family and enjoyed visits from their 5 children, grandchildren, family members and friends.

In 1975, determined to improve their family’s future, Mary Helen returned to Southwestern Bell. Wearing the only nice dress she owned — a green dress handmade by her mother-in-law, Hallie — she was rehired and worked her way up to General Manager of Operator Services before retiring in 1991.

After retirement, she discovered a talent for interior decorating and furniture refinishing. Following Larry’s passing, she moved alone to “the farm” in Bremond, Texas. She lovingly restored an old, drafty farmhouse into a warm and inviting home that became the beloved center for family holidays. She could often be found tending her garden or relaxing on her screened-in front porch.

In 2016, Mary Helen made one final move to Beverly, Kansas to be near her daughter Debra during her battle with cancer. She purchased the house across the street and poured her love into remodeling it. Though Debra passed before seeing the finished home, Mary Helen — with help from her son Mark — created another place of peace, joy, and comfort where all were welcomed.

Mary Helen never met a stranger. People were naturally drawn to her kind spirit, and many affectionately called her “Mamaw,” or more recently “Mamaw the Great”. Phone calls and visits were always concluded with an “I love you,” “Be careful,” or “Call me when you get there.”  She never let an opportunity go by without telling you she loved you.

She is survived by her children: Larry Fagan (Sharon), Mark Fagan (Chris Stoddard), John Fagan (Cindy Kiemstead), and Cindy Gossett (Layne); son-in-law Joe Flaherty; 19 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way. She was preceded in death by her husband Larry, daughter Debra, her parents, and siblings Lonnie, Louis, Dorothy Mack, and Bobby.

Until we meet again: Loves ya little… Loves ya big… Loves ya like… A little fat pig!

Her memorial service will be held at Lincoln United Methodist Church in Lincoln, Kansas April 18th at 2 p.m. A reception will follow at the Beverly Community Hall