MARIE C. DUGAN,
left us on November 19, 2021. Marie would have turned 80 years old, on New Year’s Eve.
Her friends and family agree that New Year’s Eve was the perfect date for Marie to be born. Marie was born in Greenville, Mississippi, to Louise Starling Cousley and Samuel Boyd Cousley. Her parents and sister, Sally Beckham, have been patiently waiting for her. She leaves behind her brother, Sam Cousley and sister-inlaw Tricia Cousley. Marie raised two children, Louise Hogan and Donald Dugan, who is married to Tasha Stratton Dugan. Marie will be missed by five grandchildren; Marie Crow, James Hogan, Skye Horvath, Ronan Dugan, and Finn Dugan and eight great-grandchildren; Trenton Crow, Kylee Hogan, Shelby Crow, Aden Hogan, Aubrey Crow, Matthew Hogan, Ledger Hogan, and Arto Horvath. She unselfishly took an active role in helping to raise several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Marie graduated from Mississippi State College for Women with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with a plan in mind to teach art to children in school. She married Don Dugan soon after her graduation. After moving several times, they settled in Little Rock which became her home for the rest of her life. Marie’s first job was with Little Rock Waterworks, now Central Arkansas Water, in 1963 as a drafter in the Engineering Department drawing water lines on maps. Several years later Marie left Little Rock Waterworks to try out that teaching idea and then became a stay-at-home Mom to raise her children. She later went back to work for Little Rock Waterworks and was a big part of the transition to Central Arkansas Water. Marie led the design and development of Knoop Park at the Ozark Water Treatment Plant. She obtained her license for Water Treatment Operator as well as Water Distribution Operator. Marie also became the first woman in Arkansas to become a licensed professional surveyor and served as President of the Arkansas Society of Professional Surveyors. She retired from CAW in 2009 but was not ready to leave. She returned to work part time until her death.
Marie was very interested in learning and documenting her ancestors. Following in the footsteps of the women in her family Marie was an active member of the Huguenots Society, Colonial Dames of America, and the Daughters of the American Revolution serving in several positions on the boards of all three organizations. She was a longtime member of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church and an active participant of the Roundtable Sunday School Class. Marie helped with the lights and sound for the contemporary church service every Sunday she could. Marie also was a vital member of the “Bridge Club” whose members were all members of the church. They met one Thursday night every month and were rarely seen actually playing bridge. If they had met more frequently, they may well have been able to solve all of the world’s problems by now.
Marie was a lover of life. She was happy and acquired numerous lifelong friends that have come and gone. She touched the lives of more people than we will ever know. You could not help feeling comfortable immediately in Marie’s presence and that you had just made a loyal friend. Marie could find the positive in most any situation and saw only the good in everyone, except for her daughter’s 5th grade teacher who seemed to still be the only one on her resentment list. She was a dedicated employee, a loyal friend, and a strong believer in God. She enjoyed learning and after retiring initially, took courses at UALR for several years. She still continued learning through LifeQuest. Marie will be missed by so many friends and family, too many to even try and list. Anyone wanting to pay their respects to Marie Dugan is welcome to attend a Memorial Service planned for December 11, 2021, 11 a.m., which will be held at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. A reception will be held at the Church immediately following the service. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. RuebelFuneralHome.com