Mary Elizabeth Daniel, who preferred to go by Mary E. or Emmie, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2026, under hospice care at home in Pittsboro, NC. She was 74 years old.
Mary E was born and raised in Littleton, NC, a small town in Halifax County. Even though she was years younger than the other girls in her neighborhood, her positive energy and outsized personality quickly won them over, and she maintained those treasured friendships throughout her life.
From an early age, her father would take Mary E to see basketball and football games at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, and she became a lifelong Tar Heels fan.
Following her graduation from UNC in 1974 with a degree in business, she took a job in the University’s Financial Aid office. Within a few years, computers started to appear in the business world, and Mary E was fascinated. She taught herself how to use them and quickly became the expert in the office. Over the years, she helped lead the office forward from pen and paper to a top-flight scholarship system, winning accolades along the way.
But to her coworkers, Mary E was much more than a talented and dedicated colleague. She was a friend whose wit, wisdom, and whimsy consistently lifted the spirits of those around her. She was always thinking of others, and of what she might know or do that would be helpful to them.
Mary E was fiercely independent. She was her own general contractor for the house she built in Chatham County; if she decided to do something, she didn’t care what other people thought- she would work until she finished it. She had a single seat season ticket for basketball and football games that she maintained for 40+ years.
Mary E took great pride in being part of the Carolina community. Her love for the University, and especially for the Tar Heels, ran deep. It was a love that was infectious, and one that she shared generously with everyone around her.
In 1980–81, Mary E became good friends with some of the graduate students in Carolina’s Environmental Sciences and Engineering program. She quickly became one of the gang, joining in their tailgates, parties, and other events. Mary E loved the games, the discussions, the history, the rivalries, and all the excitement that came with being a Tar Heel.
In 1991 she received a diagnosis of breast cancer. The treatment was successful, but she realized that life was short and decided to buy a Mazda Miata to have more fun in life. This led her to join the Tarheel Sports Car Club and start competing in autocross competitions. There she made many more lifelong friends and, through a mutual friend, met her husband, Carl.
Mary E and Carl loved to travel together, driving to race events to compete, or sometimes just help out. For about 20 years they helped teach driving skills to police officers throughout the state. Mary E often drove the “rabbit” car they chased- she was never caught.
Carl was not a big sports fan, but he was always up for a road trip, and they enjoyed many trips together to UNC football bowl and away games, as well as NCAA Final Four tournaments.
She finally retired in 2022 after more than 43 years with the University. The plan was for the couple to travel the USA and visit other countries, but within a year, their energy was suddenly focused on a new challenge: Fighting pancreatic cancer. It was a roller coaster ride. After enduring twelve difficult chemotherapy treatments, she underwent a complex surgery to remove the tumor and basically rework her digestive system. Nevertheless, she recovered well and was told she was cancer-free. But only three months later, a new mass appeared. This time there was no mention of a cure, only guesses about life expectancy.
Despite the setback, Mary E almost never missed a game—regardless of the weather, how the team was doing, or even cancer. She once walked from a radiation session directly to the Dean Dome for a basketball game.
But what made her truly special was the person she was and the friendships she created. She was fun-loving, loyal, enthusiastic, and someone who brought people together. For those of us fortunate enough to have known her, she made life more enjoyable by simply being part of it.
She will be deeply missed, but the memories, the laughter, her spirit, and the touch of mischief she shared with all of us will live on.
She is survived by her loving husband of 27 years, Carl Fisher, of Pittsboro, NC, cousin George Jordan (wife Melba) of Cary, NC, and cousin Nelda Huffstetler (husband William) of Pinehurst, NC.
Mary E was preceded in death by her father, Erasmus Alston Daniel, mother, Elizabeth Rodwell Daniel, and aunt, Mary Frances Rodwell.
There will be no funeral or service. In lieu of flowers, cards, or other gifts, please donate to the University of North Carolina Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund in the name of Mary Elizabeth Daniel:
UNC Health Foundation
Attn: UNC Lineberger
123 West Franklin Street, Suite 510
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Call UNC Gift Services at (919) 537-3818 if you have questions.
Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Daniel family.
