Mary Nugent

Mary Mae Bellefeuille Nugent, 90, of Detroit Lakes, MN, passed away on December 8, 2018 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Detroit Lakes.

Mary is survived by her five daughters: LeAnne (Tom) Riedman of Lake Park, MN, Laurie Percy of Sacramento, CA, Susan (Lou Cerrone) Nugent of Sandwich, MA, Karen (Brian Messing) Bye of Las Vegas, NV, and Diane (Tim) Ihry of Papillion, NE; four grandchildren: Amy (Mark) Balluff, Chris Collins, Elizabeth (Neil) Simmons, and Jay (Caitlin Franks) Ihry; and six great grandchildren, Caitlin and Samantha Collins, Tyler and Halle Balluff, and Aurora and Julia Simmons.

Other surviving family members include her brothers, sister, and in-laws:  Della Bellefeuille, Marion Bellefeuille, Dick (Marilyn) Bellefeuille, Keith (Natalie) Bellefeuille, Ken Bellefeuille, Jeanette Bellefeuille Jahnke, Danielle (Jim) Dixon, David (Betty) Bellefeuille, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband Bernard “Bernie” Nugent, parents Richard and Alma Plante Bellefeuille, son-in-law Richard Percy, brothers:  Warren, Duane, and Dennis Bellefeuille, and sister-in-law Lois Bellefeuille.

Mary was born April 23, 1928, "the same day as Shirley Temple," as Mary was proud to say. She grew up in a large family in Calloway, MN and graduated from Detroit Lakes High School. She briefly worked for a law firm in Detroit Lakes, before moving to Moorhead, MN where she was a secretary for the Dean of Men at Moorhead State. There, she met “her Bernie.” Mary and Bernie married on June 1, 1948. They began a family and moved from Moorhead to Hillsboro, ND and then later to Grafton, ND where the couple ran the bowling lanes.

After retirement, Mary and Bernie returned to Detroit Lakes where they both enjoyed golf and bowling. In June 2008, family and friends gathered to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

Mary was also a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church of Detroit Lakes, Catholic Daughters, the Resurrection Choir, and Country Club Ladies League.

Mary was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was generous with her time and talents, whether baking her much-in-demand sugar cookies and brownies for Holy Rosary’s cookie walk or helping with church, bowling, and golf functions. She was a great conversationalist and quick-witted cardplayer. She will be missed by her large family and many, many friends.

Memorials can be sent to Hospice of the Red River Valley, your local food pantry or your preferred charity.