Mary Ann (Dugan) Tormey

Mary Ann (Dugan) Tormey, of Fort Pierce Florida and Hingham, Massachusetts, formerly of Newton, Massachusetts, died peacefully on Thursday, May 30, 2024, surrounded by her family, at Linden Ponds in Hingham. She was 81.

Mary Ann was born in Coral Gables, Florida on September 3, 1942, the second of the five girls born to Arthur and Dorothy (Brosmer) Dugan. The girls attended Catholic schools, with Mary Ann graduating from Sacred Heart Academy before shuffling off to Buffalo to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing from D’Youville College in 1964. Mary Ann’s early years and nursing training formed a strong foundation of family, faith, and service. She focused much of her life on helping others. 

Mary Ann and her four sisters grew up in Garden City, Long Island where they enjoyed outings to Jones Beach and Point Lookout. Mary Ann was also fortunate to travel to Europe on occasion with her sisters -- thanks to a lift from Arthur, their father and pilot for Pan American Airways. When not at the beach or traveling the girls also made music, blending voices and playing instruments (Mary Ann was on the guitar). 

Mary Ann went to Florida in 1964, where the stars, a Dugan sister, and the US Navy aligned such that she met the love of her life Marty Tormey. Marty, a Massachusetts native, was in Florida at the time with the US Navy. The late Bud Barker (one of Marty’s shipmates) was married to Mary Ann’s sister Patti - who provided an introduction and favorable recommendation.

Mary Ann and Marty were married in 1966 and settled in Newton MA. Mary Ann worked for a short time as a pediatric nurse before focusing for many years on her best job, being a mother (and much later, a grandmother). Her four children, all close in age, were her focus as she got out the finger paints, filled the backyard wading pool, and took them on adventures both near (feeding the ducks on the Charles) and far (trips to Camp, the beach, and to visit relatives). She was a wonderful and loving mother, and she always put her family first. She was an outstanding role model, emphasizing learning, trying your best, and hard work while also carrying a sense of humor. 

She was a true family CEO as she packed 4 kids and Marty up for 2-week summer camping trips, organized schedules and carpools for youth sports, and volunteered for the PTA. She took snapshots galore and enjoyed compiling photos into numerous albums documenting her growing family and remarkable travels. 

Her quiet determination to help out and get things done also benefited the many organizations she volunteered for, including The American Red Cross, FISH, Operation Smile, and The Kennedy Center. After many years of raising a family, Mary Ann returned to nursing and worked at the Boston College infirmary for over a decade.

Along their journey of 57 plus years, Mary Ann and Marty also made homes and friends in Brookfield, WI, Arlington, VA, and Hanoi, Vietnam. They later adopted Fort Pierce, FL as their primary residence (Ocean Village) and thoroughly enjoyed the blessings of family, friends and sunshine. They did not miss New England winters. Marty and Mary Ann loved to travel together and often were hard to locate. In addition to many camping trips and visits to national parks, they went on many trips overseas, touching about 60 countries. A favorite tradition was their annual bareboat charter sailing trip with family members.

Mary Ann loved to spend time in Rhode Island in the summers with her grandchildren. One of her favorite things was walking the beach with them to collect seashells and sea glass.

Mary Ann passed away peacefully and with family by her side on May 30 after four months at Rose Court at Linden Ponds in Hingham, MA. She died from complications related to the ravages of dementia. She is survived by her husband, Martin Tormey of Ft. Pierce, FL and their children, Kevin and his wife Deborah of Needham MA, Gregory of Dorchester MA, Diane and her husband Jeff Conuel of Ithaca NY, and Beth of Dorchester MA. Mary Ann was a beloved Grandma to Caitlin and Megan Tormey and Brian, Mae and Grace Conuel. 

In addition, Mary Ann leaves behind a long list of beloved relatives including her four sisters and their spouses: Patti Barker, Barbara & Paul Lilly, Rosemary & Bill Collopy and Peggy & Craig Angstadt; Her in-laws and spouses: Judith McDowell, Rich & Jan Tormey and Paul & Pam Tormey and many nieces and nephews and their children.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visitation on Friday, June 14, 2024, 9-9:45 AM at St. Albert the Great Parish, 1140 Washington St., Weymouth. 

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 14, 2024, at 10 AM at St. Albert the Great Parish, Weymouth. 

Interment is private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Mary Ann’s name to The Linden Ponds Staff Appreciation Fund. Contributions can be made payable to Linden Ponds (please note Staff Appreciation in the memo) and mail to: Linden Ponds Philanthropy Office, 203 Linden Ponds Way, Hingham, MA 02043.