SOUTH PORTLAND – Mary Maietta Dulac, 96, of South Portland, formally of Cape Elizabeth, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep the morning of Feb. 24, 2023 at Piper Shores rehab center after a brief struggle with heart failure. She was born to the late Saveria and Aneillo Maietta on Dec. 11, 1926 in Portland, where she was raised with her nine brothers and sisters.

Mary graduated from Portland High School in 1945 and then went on to secretarial school. She spent her professional life working at Maine Medical Center where she worked for over 40 years. She started in the billing department working evenings, so she was able to care for her children during the day. She later transitioned to a day position in the Pediatric clinics, where she worked until she reluctantly retired at 85.

On Feb. 11, 1956 Mary and the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Dulac, were married at the St. Peter’s church in Portland, starting on their journey of over 60 years together. The two were inseparable, sharing a life filled with love and respect. They shared that love with their six children. Mary was a wonderful mother and homemaker. She loved to cook, was a talented seamstress and knitter, and always kept a warm and welcoming home for her family and friends. She especially loved the holidays, which were filled with Italian traditions, and an abundance of food, love, and laughter.

Dick and Mary were hard workers, so vacations were always a special time. The family spent summers camping at Sebago Lake. Long into their retirement, with children off building their own families, Mary and Dick continued to enjoy summers at the lake and winter visits to Florida.

Mary was also devoted to her Catholic faith and was a lifelong communicant of Saint Peter’s Parish. She started each day with prayer and rosary and, in the wake of COVID, followed mass on her tablet. For years she supported the annual Saint Peter’s Bazaar and Christmas Fair, baking cookies and enjoying time with her sodality sisters.

After Dick’s passing, Mary showed her usual quiet strength and lived independently in her home with the love and support of her children and grandchildren. Her hands, heart and mind were never idle. She lived a beautiful life with grace and dignity, always true to her thoughts without passing judgement.

Her family will cherish her memories, and she will be forever missed.

Mary was predeceased by her loving husband Dick; her brothers Philip, James, Dominic, and Louis Maietta; her sisters Maizie Foley, Camilla Gammon, Carolyn Mancini, and Lenora Foley.

Mary is survived by her children Theresa and Francis Hannigan, Serena and Mark Casey, Robert and Mary Dulac, Tim Dulac and Tate Reynolds, Anne-Marie and Willie Ham, Michelle and Stephen Spencer, and daughter-law Claudia Dulac; her sister Eleanor Zappia and her sister-in-law Josephine Dulac. She leaves 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at Saint Peter’s Church, 72 Federal Street, Portland, on Friday, March 3, 2023 at 10 a.m. A reception will follow at Purpoodock Club, Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Online condolences may be expressed at http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.

Should family and friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the following charity:

St Jude Children’s Research Hospital

PO Box 3704

Memphis, TN 38101



Copy the Story Link