Mary Reilly Dugery

Mary Reilly Dugery, of Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2026, just days shy of her 88th birthday.

Born on September 27, 1938, in Richmond, Virginia, Mary was the daughter of the late John Harvey Reilly and Mary Ahearn Reilly. She was raised in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, before her family moved to Valley Forge. She attended the Academy of Notre Dame and was a graduate of Immaculata College.

Mary was the loving wife of the late John Daniel Dugery, with whom she shared 49 years of marriage. Together, Mary and John raised six children and built a life rich in family, faith, friendship, travel, and shared experiences.

Above all, Mary treasured her family. She was a devoted mother to six children and the beloved grandmother of 18 grandchildren, who knew her affectionately as “Honey.” Being Honey was one of the great joys of her life. She took tremendous pride in her grandchildren and in the large and loving family that grew around her and John.

Honey and John loved seeing the world together and made many memorable trips to France, a country that held a special place in Mary’s heart. She studied French for many years and delighted in its language and culture. Mary and John also loved the mountains of Colorado and the fun times to be found in Key West. Wherever their travels took them, they had a gift for enjoying the experience and, most importantly, each other’s company.

Mary had an eye for all things beautiful. For years, she put that talent to work running estate sales throughout the area, where her appreciation for art, antiques, and beautiful objects was evident. That same appreciation extended to the cultural life of Philadelphia. She had a deep affection for the city’s great institutions and particularly loved a Friday afternoon at the Philadelphia Orchestra, a visit to the Philadelphia Museum of Art or the Barnes Foundation.

Mary also believed strongly in giving her time to others. For decades, she volunteered at Lankenau Hospital’s Hamper Shop, and she also devoted many years to volunteering at St. James School in Philadelphia. These longstanding commitments reflected her generosity, her connection to her community, and the importance she placed on service to others.

Faith was an important part of Mary and John’s life together. They were longtime parishioners of Saint Matthias Catholic Church in Bala Cynwyd, where they were part of the parish community for many years.

Mary possessed a lifelong curiosity and a genuine appreciation for beauty—in art and music, in travel and language, in the mountains and by the sea, and most importantly, in the people and experiences that filled her life. She will be remembered for her devotion to her family and faith, her generosity and service to others, her love of learning and culture, and the traditions, stories, and memories she created for those she loved.

Mary is survived by her six children and their spouses: Mary (Tim) Eldridge, John (Nancy) Dugery Jr., Jacqueline (Chris) Dugery, David (Erin) Dugery, Peter (Kay) Dugery, and Andrew (Elizabeth) Dugery; and by her grandchildren John, Sophie, and Chris Eldridge; Paul and John Dugery; Matthew and Ella Farina; Reilly, Grace, David Jr., and Josephine Dugery; Joseph, Peter Jr., and Megan Dugery; and Andrew Jr., Jane, and Amelia Dugery.

Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband of 49 years, John Daniel Dugery; her parents, John Harvey Reilly and Mary Ahearn Reilly, her granddaughter, Catherine Dugery, as well as her brother John Harvey Reilly Jr. and sister Patricia Reilly.

Relatives and friends are invited on Friday September 25, 2026- Visitation from 9:00-10:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 AM at Saint Matthias Catholic Church, 128 Bryn Mawr Ave., Bala Cynwyd PA 19004. Interment will follow at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, PA. For those unable to attend the services, the Funeral Mass will be available via livestream at https://saintmatthias.org/live-stream.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Saint Matthias Catholic Church.

Mary will be deeply missed, but the curiosity, beauty, generosity, joy, and love with which she approached life will live on in her children, grandchildren, and all those fortunate enough to have known her.