1915-2023 - Mary Josephine (Chesi) DuBois.Mary DuBois survived 107 years and 259 days since her birth day. Born in Stockton, California on May 9, 1915 at St. Joseph’s Hospital to her parents Joseph “Giuseppe” Chesi and Elisa (Davalle) Chesi,

Mary was one of three children, her brother Eugene Chesi and sister Evelyn Chesi. Mary worked in Stockton as a Top Jewelry Salesperson for Rodgers Jewelers, then became co-owner of Bechloff’s Dress shop.Many asked for her secret to a long life and Mary did not have one answer. However, if you reflect on her experiences in life, Strife is what kept Mary DuBois alive and optimistic toward the future. In 1951 Mary endured the death of her Father (Guiseppe) and her Husband (Lido) being buried on the same day. And through her years Mary survived three bouts of Cancer and said that her secret to her recovery was realizing that “you have to accept pain as your friend during periods of life”.Mary soon remarried to Mark DuBois and moved to Santa Cruz, California, where she spent her final days. In Santa Cruz she worked as an Account Clerk then promoted to Supervisor for Santa Cruz Probation Department. She retired in 1981 and took up her painting passion and was surrounded by many lovely ladies that she grew to love. And during this time Mary was befriended by many neighbors Marybeth & Bob Henderson and Jane and Quinn McKenzie who became her local family.

Mary endured many strifeful events in the World from being born during World War I, Influenza Outbreak of 1918, the Great Depression, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, Cuban Missile Crisis, the Assassination of JFK, the Assassination of MLK, the 60’s Anti-War Protestors, Persian Gulf War, 9-11, and the current Covid-19 Crisis, but she never said a negative word about anyone. She remained positive with all parts Life.There’s a saying in Life, “find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.” Mary lived her life that way.

At 97 years old Mary went to renew her driver’s license and walked away from the DMV with a 5 year extension; she was elated but many around her were nervous. She only drove another 3 years afterward.Mary was a symbol of hope for the future to those around her, and to her family for almost 11 decades. Artisitc Style & Influences

Mary J. DuBois developed her painting practice later in life, beginning in retirement after decades spent working in retail and public service in California. Without formal academic training, her work reflects a self-taught approach rooted in observation and storytelling rather than academic technique.

Her paintings typically feature landscapes, rural architecture, and coastal environments, subjects closely tied to Northern California and the Monterey Bay region where she lived for many years.

Several consistent stylistic characteristics appear across her works:

→ Narrative Landscape Composition

DuBois often places a focal structure or subject within a wider landscape—barns, houses, lighthouses, or roads—creating a quiet narrative scene rather than a purely natural vista.

→ Simplified Perspective and Form

Her compositions rely on simplified architectural structures and soft atmospheric backgrounds, emphasizing mood and place rather than strict realism.

→ Color-Driven Atmosphere

Many of her landscapes use bright greens, soft blues, and warm earth tones, suggesting coastal California light and agricultural countryside.

→ Folk-Regional Influence

Although not formally trained, her work aligns loosely with American folk landscape painting and late-20th-century regional art traditions, where local scenery and everyday rural subjects are central themes.

→ Memory-Based Scenes

Some works appear to depict historical or imagined environments—such as horse-drawn buggies or European architecture—indicating that DuBois sometimes painted from memory or reference imagery rather than direct observation.

Taken together, her paintings form a body of work that celebrates place, memory, and everyday rural life, especially landscapes connected to California’s coastal environment.

Documented Works (Known & Observed)

Archival References