Jean Dugas

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 Wm. 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, CA. 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 in Bishop, California. 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 fifty-seven 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 sister-in-law – Mary Lou Bianchetti.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church on Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at the Maple Grove Cemetery.