Mary Preece
South Athol, MA – Mary Louise Preece, 76, of South Athol,
Massachusetts, passed away on September 14, 2025, at home surrounded
by loving family and friends.
Mary was born December 8, 1948 in Greenfield, the daughter of Jane
Vorce (Richards) and Bernard Preece.
Mary grew up in a large family in Orange, graduating from Mahar in
1967. Mary later moved to Boston to pursue an art scholarship. For
years, she lived in Brighton with her sisters Paula and Joanie. Mary
met and married Francis Cugini (Cooch) settling in Brighton, where Guy
was born. Later returning to Orange, she met and married Paul Eno,
with whom she had Michael and Brian. Mary later married David Stoddard
after a long courtship; their engagement highlighted on the front page
of the newspaper, with David proposing during the Orange’s New Year’s
Eve celebration. David passed two years ago. Together they shared a
blended family, each bringing three children, later many grandchildren
and great grandchildren.
Like many women of her generation, Mary put her education on hold to
provide for her family. She returned to college in her forties to
become an art teacher, earning degrees in art and education from
Greenfield Community College and Anna Maria College. Mary developed an
appreciation for the therapeutic nature of art. Finishing college at a
time when there were few opportunities locally and needing to support
her family, she didn’t hold out for a teaching position; instead
accepted an opportunity at Grand View Rest Home in Fitchburg, where
for many years she enriched the lives of dozens of residents. Many
locals know of Mary from her time working at Orange Saws alongside
David, where she delighted in sassing customers.
Mary especially loved the arts and could often be found painting,
wallpapering or with a project spread out across her kitchen table.
Whether sewing, printmaking, or an odd sculpture, there was almost
always something she was working on. Mary also loved growing a big
garden, and at any time of the year could be counted on to feed you
something she had grown. For many years, Mary and David were very
active in local billiard leagues.
At the holidays, Mary will be remembered for setting out stacks of
pizzelles and a feast of lasagna or ravioli, always with fresh pasta
and sauce made from her garden tomatoes.
Mary leaves her children, Guy Cugini, Shelley Johnson, Tony
Vaitkevicius, Kelley Kellum, Michael Eno, and Brian Eno;
grandchildren, Isabella Cugini, Gavin Cugini, Shon Newton, Nick
Newton, Janassa Lackey, Evan Lackey, Gregg Vaitkevicius, Sabrina
Vaitkevicius, and Grayson Vaitkevicius; great grandchildren, Parker,
Elijah, and Sundae; a sister Claire Preece; and brothers Colin Preece,
Shawn Preece, and Dan Preece. For the final period of her life, Mary
and her family were very blessed by the support she received after
David’s passing from her friend and caregiver, Janet Wellman. Mary
made friends wherever she went and was a mother to many more. Among
the many friends of her children who she regarded as her extended
children include Cara Cleveland Cutter, Jessica Patton, and Josefa
Scherer.
Preceding Mary in death were her three husbands, David Stoddard, Paul
Eno, and Francis Cugini; her parents, Jane and Joe Vorce, and Bernard
Preece; sisters, Kathy Teeling, Paula Labshere, Joan Mirrey, Margaret
Preece; brothers, Brian Preece, Kevin Preece, Michael Preece, and Mark
Preece.
Wild women don’t get the blues and well-behaved women seldom make
history.