After visiting her parents on the Gulf Coast for many years, Chrisy Ennen moved to the area about five and a half years ago and immediately started making an impact on the community around her.

Amoreena Brewton, a friend of Ennen's and First Presbyterian Church of Gulf Shores (FPCGS) congregation member, was on the church's search committee when Ennen's application came in. The church had been without a reverend for about two years before she was interviewed.

"She was meant to be with us and us with her. Chrisy was a ray of sunshine with a fearlessness to her message of love that was captivating. She had abundant energy and extensive expertise across many areas beyond theology, from the arts to business to education," Brewton said, noting Ennen had an MBA.

Ennen died on Dec. 30, 2025. She was 51 and had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Another church member and friend, Penny Hughey, said Ennen would tell people "I'm not your average minister" because of her business-like mindset.

Hughey was serving as vice president of the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber when she met Ennen, who had scheduled a meeting with Chamber President Greg Alexander. Ennen wanted FPCGS to be a member of the Chamber, not a typical request for a church. After that, she was involved in several community-driven projects across Gulf Shores.

As Brewton said, "Chrisy had a vision for working with people in our community in a totally new way."

The Hand-in-Hand Business Center, which opened in 2022, is a program that opens the church building on weekdays as office and gathering spaces for small businesses, hosting artists, entrepreneurs, therapists, educational groups and other organizations. Through the center, classes on marketing and business are also taught in workshop style events.

From 2024 to 2025, Ennen took part in the Business Chamber's Coastal Alabama Leadership League (CALL) class, in which the participants decide on a community project to work on.

In spring 2025, a community garden was built. This was a project idea pitched by Ennen when she noticed the Christian Service Center across the street from her church didn't have access to a lot of fresh food.

Out of everything Ennen had a hand in, this project stands out the most to Jennifer Guthrie, who became friends with Ennen through Brewton and "just kind of hit it off." FPCGS is across the street from Guthrie's yoga studio, Glow Yoga.

In 2023, Ennen brought the church into the Waterway Village Merchant's Association, which was started by Guthrie.

"I'm sad but also excited to see her thumbprint in what's about to happen," said Guthrie, who is serving her first term on Gulf Shores City Council. "… She was there at the beginning as we started all of this. We just had a meeting yesterday, our first meeting without her. It's just so exciting what we've got going on, and I think the community is going to be — it's going to do so much for our community."

Outside of the Waterway Village area, Ennen was also involved at the South Baldwin Community Theatre, where she performed and directed shows. She was a mentor with the Gulf Shores City Schools Kids Hope USA program, and she volunteered with the conservation group Share the Beach as a turtle team member, scanning the beach at 5 a.m. looking for turtle tracks and nests.

Ennen, alongside Hughey, also started a Monday mindfulness experience that takes place at the Gulf Shores Resident's Beach every first Monday of the month. Everyone is encouraged and welcome to gather at the beach parking lot, located at 378 E. Beach Blvd., about 15-20 minutes before sunrise.

The first Monday sunrise of 2026 was held in memory of Ennen and had about 50 attendees. Hughey plans to continue the tradition in her honor.

Brewton, Hughey and Guthrie all spoke of how Ennen had a passion for the Gulf Coast community, environment and her family: husband, Mike Ennen, and kids, Anne and Ty.

According to her friends, Ennen lived full of love and constantly cared for those around her. She carried joy with her everywhere and never seemed to judge anyone.

Several organizations and Gulf Coast residents have posted on social media in memory of Ennen.

The three friends all plan to take away life lessons from Ennen's passing.

"I have been reminded, in the deepest way, to make sure everyone I love knows how I feel, and to also share that love with those who are the most vulnerable every chance I get," Brewton said. "Chrisy did this with so much joy and audacious positivity."

"I'm 18 years out from having the same exact diagnosis that Chrisy had," Hughey said. "It makes me realize how grateful and fortunate and lucky I am that I am an 18-year survivor because it could have ended a lot differently. I know that's kind of heavy ... because it reminds me every day that it could've been different."

"Of course, the first takeaway has been just not taking anything for granted," Guthrie said. "… I think that comes from just loss in general. Specific to Chrisy, her whole thing was love. Her congregation is about love. Her office is about love. When she gives her mission statement, it's like, 'I want to do everything through love,' and so that's really what I'm taking away, taking with me or keeping with me. How can I be more loving?"