Raegan Mercedes Hoeft

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dear Raegan on Wednesday, January 31st, 2024. Raegan dealt with brain cancer for almost 7 years. She eventually surrendered, with dignity and resolve, all the while surrounded by the love of family and friends. She became an inspiration to many for her ability to see the good in everything, remain optimistic and make the best of a challenging situation. She was a bright light and brought joy to many.

Raegan Mercedes Hoeft was born on October 30th, 1977 in Somerville, NJ to Candace Womer and Thomas Hoeft. She attended elementary school in Hampton, NJ and Easton, PA continuing her education at Middlesex High where she met some of her lifelong friends. She attended The College of New Jersey where her love of life and infectious energy expanded her friend zone exponentially. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Psychology and continued her education at the University of Central Florida where she earned a few Masters degrees along with a Doctorate in Human Factors/Engineering Psychology. She began her career at Lockheed Martin and moved on to consulting firms, working with military and civilian companies. She loved and was passionate about her field and had been active in professional organizations. Raegan had been an adjunct professor at The College of New Jersey and published several articles as well as contributing to a textbook on Human Factors. She possessed a level of knowledge only outweighed by her supreme wit and humor; all who met and worked with Raegan could not help but love and respect her.

Raegan loved music, in all forms, but especially hardcore and any band that her friends were a part of. She traveled up and down the East Coast following her friends to every Elks Lodge, basement, dive bar, or even stadium they were playing in that night. She had a love and loyalty of family and friends that was incomparable and remains unmatched. She truly enjoyed being a part of the action and was always happy to show up, lend a hand, bring something, or simply just be present at gatherings. She had a love of thrifting and had a keen eye for fashion and color. Raegan also enjoyed traveling and adventure and had the opportunity to visit many places, including Australia, London, Paris, South Africa, Eswatini, Costa Rica, Canada, Mexico and many US states, including Alaska.

Becoming disabled after her first craniotomy, she found ways to be a meaningful part of life by volunteering. She adopted a friend in a nursing home to visit, volunteered at thrift stores, and used her career skills to support a number of agencies and groups. She also helped family members and friends in any way she could. Dogs, especially puppies, were a fan favorite as were goats of any shape or color, well, truly, any animal brought a smile to her face. She was an “honorary member” of many families with her own always being the most important. Lastly, Raegan never passed a fire hydrant she didn’t love and admire.

Raegan is predeceased by her sister, Amity Hoeft, grandparents Bernice Hoeft, Kenneth Hoeft and Roy Womer and her uncle Michael Hoeft. She is survived by her mother, Candace Womer of Easton, PA, her father Thomas Hoeft (Karen) of Key Largo, FL, brothers Casey Hoeft (Maura) of Catasauqua, PA, Thomas Hoeft of Whitehall, PA , sister Elizabeth Green of New Orleans, LA, nephew Thomas Hoeft of Easton, PA and many cousins, aunts, uncles, dear friends and her grandmother Ella Mae Womer of Damascus (PA.)

In true Raegan fashion, there is no burial, as she has donated her body to science. There will be a visitation on February 29 for family and friends. Raegan would approve the uniqueness of an event on Leap Day.

If you would like to support one of Raegan’s causes, donations to the American Brain Tumor Association, the National Brain Tumor Society or the animal charity of your choosing in her name would be welcomed and appreciated.

If you want to read about Raegan’s journey, in her own words, please visit: yourhandinmind.com. Don’t wait until tomorrow to tell someone how much they mean to you today.

VATOS LOCOS FOREVER.