Mary L. Preece

SOUTH ATHOL - 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.

No calling hours.

A celebration of life to be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 6 p.m. at the Orange American Legion, 40 Daniel Shays Highway, Orange.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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