Rebecca Gage Bailey, 42, of Annapolis, MD, passed away at home surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Mount Holly, NJ, Rebecca was the daughter of Mary (Shade) and Timothy Gage, now of Winfield, PA. At home, she learned the foundation of her life: family is everything, friends and pets are family, hard work is healthy, and kindness is the key to character. She is survived by daughter, Regan, and by her parents.

Among her many accomplishments, Rebecca’s signature life achievement was being Regan’s mother. From the start, everyone knew their bond would be an enduring one. Rebecca taught Regan a zest for life and the power of a smile.

Rebecca graduated from Warrior Run High School in Turbotville, PA, and was a 1996 graduate of Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business.

She later attended the University of Baltimore School of Law, Baltimore, MD. Following her admittance to the Maryland bar, Rebecca completed a clerkship with the Honorable Ann S. Harrington, of the Montgomery County, MD, Circuit Court. She was also a member of the Washington, DC, Bar. In 2003, Rebecca accepted a position at the law firm of Steptoe and Johnson, in their mass tort litigation department. She honed her skills for approximately two years before, in 2005, choosing Government service over private practice.

She worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, in the Baltimore/Washington Regional Counsel Office, for nearly nine years. There she focused on employment law, and was recognized for negotiation savvy, expert legal writing, and outstanding diplomacy. While at VA, Rebecca was admitted to the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court. During her VA tenure, Rebecca was also chosen for an elite Leadership Development program, at which she excelled.

From 2013 to her untimely death, Rebecca worked at the National Security Agency in the Office of the General Counsel. While there, she was promoted to Associate General Counsel. Rebecca was a widely-respected and much-beloved coworker and manager. She will be and is profoundly missed by the many people she touched at NSA.

In addition to being Regan’s Mom and a respected attorney, Rebecca was a remarkable citizen. She was a lifelong blood donor, a passionate contributor to animal causes, and she was an active, engaged member of every community to which she belonged. She delighted in spa days with Regan, her US Weekly, 90210, Scooby-Doo, a good glass of wine, cafes, devouring a good book, and being on or near the water.

Rebecca was preceded in death by Grandparents John and Margaret Shade and Harry and Mary Gage, Uncles Tony and Mike, and her beloved pets at the rainbow bridge.

In addition to her immediate family members, Rebecca is survived by a host of uncles and aunts, cousins, and nieces and nephews. Further, if riches are counted in friendships, then Rebecca was truly wealthy.


The family wishes to thank the staff of the Hospice of the Chesapeake and the support of Rebecca’s many wonderful friends for filling her final weeks with joy and love.


In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County.

A celebration of life will be held at a later time. The family asks that you spend time with your children, pamper a pet, and make a toast to enduring friendships lifelong and beyond. That is what Rebecca would wish.


All services for Rebecca will be private. Please take a moment and leave a condolence or light a candle.