Mary Edith Palys

Mary Edith Palys, born April 27, 1945, in Glendale, California, passed away on March 2, 2026, at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, California.

Mary was born in Glendale, California, to Frank and Bernice Pucio and primarily grew up in Burbank, California.

She married Richard Palys on August 22, 1981, and together they built their life in San Clemente, California.

Mary began her career in dentistry at an early age in Burbank, working as a dental assistant and later becoming a dental office manager. Over the years she worked in dental practices in San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, and Laguna Beach. For a period of time she also taught dental assisting at the San Juan Capistrano Regional Occupational Program (ROP), helping train students entering the field.

Following a successful battle with cancer in the early 1980s, Mary chose a new direction and began pursuing her own business ventures. One of her first shops specialized in upscale consignment clothing, after which she opened Sea Styles, a women's boutique in Dana Point Harbor. The boutique remained part of the harbor community for approximately 19 years, until Mary retired. Her entrepreneurial spirit and strong sense of style and fashion were key to the boutique's success. During her time in the harbor business community, Mary also served on the Board of Directors of the Harbor Business Association.

After her own experience with cancer in the early 1980s, Mary was quick to offer help, guidance, and support to others facing similar medical diagnoses, spending many hours encouraging and assisting people going through difficult times. Throughout her later life, Mary faced many health challenges with remarkable strength, resilience, and determination. Those who knew her often remarked that they had rarely seen anyone meet adversity with such strength.

Mary made friends easily and will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and the extraordinary strength and resilience she showed throughout her life.

Mary is survived by her husband, Richard Palys, and her nephew Brian Pucio and his wife Donna of Boulder City, Nevada. She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Bernice Pucio, and her brother, Frank Pucio.

Arrangements are under the care of Leneski Mortuary in San Clemente, California.