Jean Marie Dugas, age 76, of Munising died following a brief illness on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.
She was born in Munising on May 7, 1948, to Clyde and Marie (Olson) Pangborn.
Jean grew up in Munising and graduated from William G. Mather High School in 1966. For graduation, her parents gave her luggage and a train ticket to California to visit her grandmother. Jean stayed in California and worked as a secretary for Northrop Grumman in Torrance, California. She returned to Munising in the fall of 1967 and married John G. Dugas on April 6, 1968. They moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Jean worked for the Oklahoma Tire Supply Company. They moved to Anaheim, California, in 1970, where John was employed by IBM. Their daughter Jaimee was born in Fullerton, California, in 1975. In 1977, the family moved to Hilo, Hawaii, and Jean worked as a typist for a psychologist and psychiatrist. In 1983 the family moved to Lahaina, Maui, where Jean worked at a local condominium front desk. In 1985 they moved to Bishop, California, where Jean volunteered at the elementary school. John’s career sent him back to Lahaina, Maui, in 1991, and she worked at the Maui Marriott coordinating excursions for tourists. In 2001 she spent a year in Panama City Beach, Florida. Jean and John returned home to Munising in 2002. Jean did spend some years working for the Pictured Rocks Cruises for about four seasons.
She was an active member of Sacred Heart Church and a former member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Jean enjoyed exercising and spent many mornings walking around town with her friends. She liked road trips that took her to casinos, and she and John spent time during the winters in Biloxi, Mississippi. Blackjack was her game. Jean had a voracious appetite for books and was always reading or listening to audiobooks. She had a smile and laugh that could light up a room.
She is survived by her loving husband of nearly 57 years, John Dugas; their daughter, Jaimee Cruz; granddaughters Elise and Ella Cruz; sister, Mary Prepose; brother Joe Pangborn; in-laws, Liz and Bill Lancour, Dave and Sue Dugas, Mike and Char Dugas and Michael Bianchetti; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Jean was preceded in death by her father, Clyde Pangborn; mother, Marie Pangborn Morin; stepfather, Joseph Morin; brother Robert Pangborn; brother-in-law, Rogelio “Blue” Prepose; parents-in-law, Gilbert and Marcella Dugas; and sisterin- law, Mary Lou Bianchetti.
A Memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 11 a.m. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery.
Jean’s obituary and tribute wall may be found at bowermanfuneralhome. net.
