Mary Helen McDougall, age 78, of Chelsea, Michigan, passed away on June 12, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Mary was born on June 13, 1947, in London, Kentucky, the daughter of John M. and Mary Belle (Johnson) Lawson. She was one of 15 children and grew up in London, KY, graduating from Lily High School in 1965. Mary accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was a faithful member of Pine Hill Baptist Church since November 1963.
On December 4, 1966, she married Lenard E. McDougall. In 1969, they made their home in Chelsea, where they raised their family together. During Lenard's more than 20 years as Chelsea's Chief of Police, she balanced sharing her husband with the town, while fiercely protecting his privacy off duty.
Mary enjoyed cooking and baking and was well known for her coconut cream, banana cream, and meringue pies. During fair week, she often prepared meals for the entire police department. She was also a talented seamstress who made clothing and pajamas for family and friends. Mary loved nature and animals, especially watching the deer and cardinals that visited her backyard. Much like her siblings, she loved the color red. Most of all, her faith and her family were at the center of her life. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Mary is survived by her three children, Joseph (Heather) McDougall of Grass Lake, Jeffrey (Christy O'Brien) McDougall of Michigan Center, and Jeannette "Jet" (Alexander) McDougall Perreault of Stockbridge; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and three siblings, Betty, Doc, and Sue. She was preceded in death by eleven siblings: Vela, Edith, Bud, Dutch, Janie, Phyllis, Ruth, Clyde, Joann, Jake, and Lee; and an infant grandson, Conner Jonas McDougall.
Visitation will be held at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., and on Thursday, June 18, 2026, from 10-11 a.m.
Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Kevin Caldwell officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Chelsea.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dementia Society of America or The Thin Blue Line of Michigan.
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.
