Mary Dugas Lee's Obituary
Mary Dugas Lee, age 61, passed away peacefully at her home in Mandeville, La., on Saturday, October 14, 2023, with her loving husband, Jim, by her side.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Kennedy Joachim Dugas, Sr. and Doris Joseph Dugas of Franklin, La., and an infant sister, Tonya Marie Dugas.
Mary is survived by her husband of 29 years, James Lee, Jr.; her sisters Marcia Dugas Shelton (James), Barbara Dugas Rivet (Charles), Elizabeth Dugas Beadle (Brian); her brother Kennedy Joachim Dugas, Jr. (Lydia); her nieces Lacey Maynor, Erin LiSik, Michelle Arceneaux, Ashley Delcambre, as well as their spouses and children and numerous other family members and devoted friends.
Mary led an exceptionally full and interesting life. Born in Franklin, La., she attended Hanson Memorial High and went on to receive Bachelor's Degrees in Science, Nursing, and Psychology from the University of Southwest Louisiana and a Master’s Degree in Biology from the University of New Orleans. Her professional career began in Nursing: first in the Cardiopulmonary Unit at Our Lady of the Lourdes Medical Center in Lafayette, La., and then in the Transplant, CCU, and ICU recovery areas at Ochsner in New Orleans, La. In 2002, Mary switched gears, applying her brilliant mind to her husband's business, Lee Financial Partners in Mandeville, La., as the COO.
Mary married the love of her life, Jim, in 1994 near an abandoned chapel at sunset in Santorini, Greece. For nearly 30 years they were partners in life, in business, and in a shared faith in God. In her own words, she called Jim her inspiration. To see their unconditional love and devotion to each other was to witness true love.
Though Mary's first love was Jim, her second was the Arts. Mary was devoted to promoting the arts in communities, art accessibility, and arts in healthcare. The hashtag #ArtHeals became her motto. As chair of the Louisiana State Arts Council for nearly eight years, Mary helmed a volunteer body appointed by the Governor that determined Cultural Districts for the state, promoted Arts-in-Education programs, and approved arts grants made by the Division of the Arts. As Chair of St. Tammany Hospital Foundation's Healing Arts Initiative for ten years, Mary led a dedicated volunteer committee of art advocates who made it their mission to incorporate the arts into healthcare at St. Tammany Health System. Under her direction, the Healing Arts Initiative grew into a nationally recognized, award-winning program, incorporating visual arts and music therapy, and changing the face of St. Tammany Health System's facilities forever.
Giving back was part of who Mary was. She credited her parents and her husband Jim with instilling in her the importance of taking care of others and having a strong work ethic. Mary gave back through volunteerism and board service with organizations such as the West St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce's Cultural Economy Committee, CAC Hope House, and St. Tammany Hospital Foundation. She and Jim were also generous philanthropists to numerous nonprofits.
Mary was guided by her strong faith and lived her life to the fullest with gratitude. She loved music, her daily run, gardening, cooking, prayer, and the occasional sweet. She loved people and strived to connect in a personal way with everyone she met, from her clients and fellow business professionals to her second family in the arts community. Her impact on her corner of the world was immeasurable, and she will be missed by many.
The family requests no flowers and instead humbly asks for donations to be made in Mary's memory to St. Tammany Hospital Foundation in support of either the Healing Arts Initiative or patient programs at St. Tammany Cancer Center. www.sthfoundation.org or 1202 South Tyler Street, Covington, LA 70433.
Additionally, Mary would ask that each person who loved her pose a heartfelt note of encouragement to patients at St. Tammany Cancer Center – A Campus of Ochsner Medical Center as part of a program she personally started in 2021 in honor of her sister Liz, named “Love Notes.” Letters may be written anonymously and mailed to 900 Ochsner Blvd., Covington, LA 70433.
Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Mass at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Ave., Covington, LA 70433 on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 9:00 AM until Mass time. Interment will follow the service at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens, Covington, LA. Please Share a Memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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