Mary Louise Dubuc, 88, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026. Born in Vermont, the 7th of nine children of Roman and Marie Leonard, Mary grew up in a houseful. As Life moved her family to Connecticut, her education and love for books, music, singing, and family pioneered her footpath through life.

She married George at the age of twenty-three, and they raised three children, beginning in Springfield, MA, then to the shores of Cape Cod, settling down in Bass River.

They lived a full life of children, cats, dogs, chickens, goats, and a couple of horses, always a houseful of whatever she could sneak through the door.

As her children grew, she opened her door and heart to numerous exchange students from Europe to South America. Love of her houseful began as an incredible gift she had when she joined the Peace Corps in 1984. Mary served for two years in the village of Dolores, Copan in Honduras as a nutritionist.

She told stories of owning a donkey that wore a straw hat, to building her stove out of mud, and monthly parades in her honor by the village that adored her.

Returning home, her devotion to the people of Honduras continued when she joined Cape Cares, a medical relief team. She was instrumental in collecting supplies, donations, and the organization of the team’s efforts. Her submersion in the culture was a blessing, and she traveled numerous times to care for the villages.

Life for Mary on the Cape was family and friends. Gathering around the piano at Christmas for caroling, playing cards with the girls (you could never win at Scrabble or Trivial Pursuit), coaching softball, Girl Scouts, singing with the Cape Cod Chorale, the love of theater, and books were her joys. Joys were boundless, especially when her children had children. There were birthday parties, Little League, basketball, band concerts, football games, and graduations celebrated.

Mary is survived by her children: George Dubuc of Bass River, Ellen Schaffer and her husband, Mart of Kansas City, MO, and Susan Dubuc of West Yarmouth, MA. She leaves her grandchildren, Meagan Fortner and her husband, Blake of Kansas City, MO, Emma Dashiell of Springfield, MO, Thomas Dubuc-Eldredge and Timothy Dubuc-Eldredge of West Yarmouth, along with her five great-grandchildren: Benjamin, Owen, Calvin, Liam, and Whyllah.

So many treasured moments, unable to count or perhaps even remember, as life gave her a challenge when her memories began to fade, grace intervened.

To all the angels at Regal Care of Harwich who gave our mother delight and dignity and most of all a “houseful” of love and laughter, our utmost heartfelt gratitude.

In granting Mary’s wishes, a private service will be held when the days are longer, the sun shining and flowers blooming.

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