Former Dubach Mayor Mary Claire Smith dies at 57

Mary Claire Smith, former mayor of the town of Dubach, has died at age 57.

She died Tuesday evening at Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe from complications arising from a pre-existing medical condition, Smith’s brother, Tommy Smith, said Wednesday.

Mary Claire Smith, who took office as Dubach’s mayor in January of 2019, resigned in early August of this year after being hospitalized with COVID-19.

Tommy Smith said the condition that led to his sister’s death was not COVID-related. Mary Claire Smith recovered from the virus and had returned home after a short hospital stay.

Tommy Smith said his sister was “special to a lot of people.”

“She had a huge heart and was always very generous,” he said. “Always had a smile on her face. She was all about celebrating those around her more than herself.”

Mary Claire Smith was a second-generation Dubach native who spent 28 years as a schoolteacher, mainly with special needs students. She was a 1981 graduate of Cedar Creek School and held two degrees from Louisiana Tech University.

She ran unopposed in the fall of 2018 to replace the retiring Bob Jensen in the mayor’s seat.

After her election, she told the Leader that her goal was to draw out Dubach’s potential and put the town “back on the map.”

Her roughly 19 months in office were marked by frequent and spirited disagreements with members of the Town Council on a wide variety of issues. Mayor Ruby Dawson, who took office upon Smith’s resignation, said their past disputes don’t affect the weight of the sudden loss.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Dawson said Wednesday. “She was the mayor of the town of Dubach, and yeah we would fight. But I look at it as, she was a human being, and she’s not here anymore. My heart really goes out to her family, and I offer them condolences.”

As mayor, Smith frequently advocated for assistance with infrastructure issues in the town from Louisiana elected officials and offices like the Department of Transportation and Development.

Her tenure also saw the approval of a state grant that, when completed, will fund the addition of the Hamilton Road neighborhood to the town’s sewer system, something residents said they have sought for years.

The family said a memorial service to honor Mary Claire Smith is in the works, but a date had not yet been set by press time Wednesday.

The town lowered its flags to half-mast and put a message on the LED sign at town hall Wednesday to honor the former mayor’s passing.

First Baptist Church of Dubach Pastor Cory Bruce said he got to know Mary Claire Smith around the time she became mayor as she would often participate in the church’s activities and programs.

“She was very passionate about her town,” Bruce said. “She loved Dubach and the people of Dubach. She was one of the most gracious and sweet ladies you’d ever hope to meet.”