Mary Louise (M.L.) Coughlin Dubay

Mary Louise (M.L.) Coughlin Dubay was born in Knoxville, Tennessee to Dr. Dennis and Margaret Ruth (Cathcart) Coughlin. She was a 1982 graduate of Knoxville Catholic High School and 1987 Honors graduate of the University of Tennessee, where she was a Lady Volunteer on the UT tennis team and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority. For the past 30 years, ML was a resident of Plano, Texas and was very active in her community and church, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. After a 22-year courageous battle with brain cancer, ML passed away peacefully in her home with her loving husband by her side. In July of 2000 ML was initially diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, and after successful surgery to remove the tumor, she underwent seven weeks of radiation and two years of chemotherapy. After treatment she was able to resume her career as VP Marketing for Nortel Networks in Richardson, Texas. She was cancer free for the subsequent 20 years. In 2010 ML left Nortel to create her own business, “Toffee Treats”. Over the years, she built it into a successful company, offering toffee and various candies and confections to numerous major accounts. In 2020 she suffered a relapse of her brain tumor and once again braved two additional brain surgeries, chemo, and radiation. In the latter part of 2022, the tumor began to overtake her medical team’s ability to fight it and on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, she transitioned into new life. Through the years ML was a vocal supporter of brain tumor survival support organizations and was a founding member of the Legacy Brain Foundation and the Baylor Richardson Brain Cancer Treatment Center. She was a featured guest speaker of the American Brain Tumor Association at their annual meeting in Chicago. She was a published author, co-writing 100 Questions & Answers About Brain Tumors, offering a clinical and patient’s perspective on living with a brain tumor. One of ML’s goals was to help others realize the importance of a positive attitude and how it can provide strength, courage, and hope to those who are fighting the battle of brain cancer. Throughout her entire life, ML was known for her positive attitude and always living life to the fullest. She could light up a room with her confidence, poise and elegance, and she had a one-of-a-kind sense of humor that will never be forgotten. ML is survived by her loving husband of 29 years Duane Dubay of Plano, Texas. She is also survived by her mother Ruth Coughlin, brothers Dennis Coughlin III and wife Cindy, Mark Coughlin, Steven Coughlin, and sister Annemarie and husband Michael Gray, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. ML was preceded in death by her father Dr. Dennis Coughlin, Jr. There will be a funeral mass held for ML at Cathedral of The Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee on Friday, January 13, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. with receiving of friends & reception immediately following in the Cathedral Parish Hall. ML will be laid to rest in a private burial at Highland Memorial Cemetery, Knoxville, Tennessee. Donations can be made to the Cathedral of The Sacred Heart of Jesus, 711 S. Northshore Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919 or Legacy Brain Foundation, 7777 Forest Lane B238, Dallas, TX 75023.

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Mary Louise (M.L.) Coughlin Dubay

October 26, 1964 - January 4, 2023