Mary Gushée

Mary Gushée’s efforts to raise awareness about bladder cancer and funding to support research began after the death of her husband, Stephen Hale Gushée. He was diagnosed with metastatic bladder cancer in September 2012. Steve was an Episcopal priest and a former religion columnist for The Palm Beach Post. He died at age 76, six months after his diagnosis. During his illness, Mary searched online for information about bladder cancer which eventually led her to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN). Mary formed and led a committee and initiated the Palm Beach Shop & Stroll (PBSS) in 2014 and raised funds for a research grant with BCAN in memory of her husband. Every Urologist’s office in the county was provided with patient advocate materials and each participating store gave out information to their customers. She hosted the PBSS again in 2015 and 2016.

Mary is honored to be on the board of BCAN, having raised money for the cause since 2014. A Boston native, Mary Coakley Gushée spent part of her year in Palm Beach since the age of 9. She moved to Florida permanently in 1972, and has owned and operated Mildred Hoit, a clothing and gift boutique in Palm Beach, for the past 30 years. She graduated from Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY in 1966 with her B.A. in English. She has three stepchildren who have adopted her as their own, and eight grandchildren (all wonderful girls) who live in CT, Dallas and NYC.