It seems everybody in Dunany knew and loved Mary. No wonder! She led, was involved in so many activities. And nobody could resist her perpetual smile!
She ran Exercise Classes on Zoom twice a week reaching the not so young wherever they were.
She organized singalongs at the Lachute Résidence.
She was the organist at the United Church.
She was a book club and garden club leader as well as a bridge club member.
She was also an active member of the Dunany Glee Club.
And many more.
It seems the only thing she did not do, in the past few years, was play golf!
France and I have been very close friends of Mary and Taras for many, many years. Consequently, this tribute to Mary is going to be a bit personal. A bunch of us have gathered to celebrate our birthdays for many years.
In 2024, Mary hosted the dinner party for me with Christine and Ed Kasprzyk and Nancy Humber as shown in the picture on the right. Missing from the photo is Don Dobson, her recent dear companion who took the picture. See how happy they were together.
Another illustration. Mary also collected money for those in need. I have found in my photo library this interesting picture. Mary is handing Don Manconi a check for his charity: the Christmas Baskets. Don, as many will remember, was for a significant period, the Social Director of the DCC. He was a remarkable cook and his dinners were exceptional. A few days ago, the Township of Gore where he was a longtime councillor, paid homage to him by renaming its park the Don Manconi Park. Look at Mary and her perpetual smile handing the check to Don.
In 2017, I wrote a tribute to her husband Taras who died very suddenly. Here it is. Would you believe that she also died suddenly, without any warning. One day, she is at the Dunany Country Club with her dear companion Don Dobson, a few days later, she is not feeling so well and she calls an ambulance which takes her to the Lachute Hospital. After exams and blood tests she was transferred to St-Eustache where they diagnose an acute Leukemia.
A death sentence.
Mary died peacefully, with son Ian by her side, on Saturday September 13 just after 1:00 AM. She was 84 years old.
The DCA offers its most sincere condolences to all members of her family, especially her thee sons, Ian, John and Keith and members of their families as well as Don, her dear companion. For information about the funeral, please read the following Obituary.
CHUPRUN, Mary (née Belbin) died Saturday, September 13, 2025 at eighty-four years of age. Beloved wife of the late Taras (Terry) Chuprun, and proud mother of Ian (Karen Borrmann), John (Krystel Beaucage) and Keith (Arianne Wright). Loving Baba of Ivan (Victoria), Lizzie (Kevin), Anna (Saman), Kyle (Morgan), Thomas John (Fleur), James, Benjamin, Charles, Annika, and Logan. Loving sister of Margaret Cross. Recent dear companion of Don Dobson.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 2:30pm at the Margaret Rodger Memorial Presbyterian Church, 463 rue Principale, Lachute, Qc. Visitation at the church from 12:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Lachute United Church (c/o Vera Young, 162 rue Principale, Grenville, QC, J0V 1J0) or Lachute Regional Residence Foundation (1 Chemin Privé du Sommet, St. Andre D’Argenteuil, QC, J0V 1X0) would be appreciated.
Rest in peace, dear Mary.
I met Mary at Dunton High School in 1965 -She was my classroom teacher when I was in Grade 11. She was never flustered although we were all girls ages 16 and 17!. I remember her saying to me years later when we met again after many many years in Dunany -“It was my first year teaching and all you teenage girls ages 16 and 17 scared the wits out of me as it was my first year teaching and I was only 21!”
As a teacher she was never confrontational with us girls, a ready smile even on Monday mornings!
A life well spent and will be remembered by me and many others.
Frieda Prosser- Lake Louisa-
I came to know Mary through our book club and garden club. She was a rare and wonderful person who will be missed by many, many people. She had a very strong sense of what is right and lived according to her convictions. I loved her matter-of-fact, no nonsense way of dealing with people and problems – always with empathy and never judgmentally with individuals. (Many current politicians, on the other hand,she judged very harshly.). She was warm, interested in many things and thought about them, and had a sense of humour. I treasure the time I had with her and wish I had had more.
My deepest sympathy to her family and Don and her closest friends.
Mary was a true and ready friend. She shared many of her talents with us all. I will always treasure her poignant words of wisdom to me. Her family and Don have suffered a great loss, May her wonderful memories bring you comfort at this sad time. Rest in peace dear Mary.🙏
Mary Chuprun…a remarkable lady, always smiling, always positive, always fun to be with.
Mary (& Terry) were ardent bridge players who brought their wonderful enthusiasm to the rec centre whenever they came to play bridge. So many wonderful memories!
Sincere condolences to the family on the recent passing of Mary.
She is already missed by all.
Richard Lauzon & the members of the Louisa Bridge Club
What a lovely, cheerful person .
I’ll always remember Mary as the lady who had a positive, optimistic attitude towards life.
Such a sterling addition to the community who will be greatly missed.
My condolences to the family and especially to Lizzy and Ivan.
My condolences to hear about the passing. My condolences to Don Dobson and the family.
Wonderful personal tribute. Thank you Jacques. Mary was a gardener extraordinaire, who always joyfully shared her knowledge and enthusiasm . She will be remembered. Sincere condolences to Don and her family.
Mary and I shared a room together in Costa Rica. She was a delight to be with, always with a smile on her face.
What a lovely tribute Jacques – I cannot believe she is gone – Mary was so much a presence in the communities of Lachute, Gore and Dunany and beyond. I loved her warmth, humour and enormous good heart; her music; her stories; her exercise class. Mary set such an example of what it means to be a human being. My condolences to Don and Mary’s family.
Memories of Mary as a wonderful & kind neighbour.
We never did get out to that snowshoeing on the lake last year
You are missed
Such sad news. What a trooper Mary was ! Nothing negative ever came from Mary’s lips. Pleasantly tough but ever so sweet. RIP, Mary. You done good !
We miss her already . especially in exercise class when she said that is enough of that one. What fun she was
Thank you, Jacques. Mary has left a wonderful legacy. Our condolences to Don and Mary’s beloved family
A lovely tribute, Jacques! Merci!
Mary was a strong forthright woman you could trust to tell you the truth- A loyal friend to many- A very sentimental person with a giant heart. Her acts of kindness will not be forgot. And yes, Mary, we will miss your smiling face, and Alto voice in Glee. On behalf of Dan and myself, our sincere condolences to Mary’s family and her dear companion, Don.
Mary, the best « alto « buddy » since the start of Glee! A big empty space beside me! Miss you Mary…
What a wonderful tribute to Mary, her achievements and her life. She was an amazing force in our Community and will be greatly missed. Rest in peace. ❤️
Jacques, this is a heartfelt tribute to a beautiful person. Thank you for your loving words and photos.
A great lady. She will be missed.
🤗