Laura Mae McDougall Arsenault, legend of the beauty parlor and the bowling alley, the baseball dugout and the dance floor, died peacefully June 26, 2026 at her School Street home in Boothbay Harbor. She was 94 years old. 

To say Laura will be dearly missed is the worst understatement. Hers was a life truly well lived — a long, beautiful life full of love, full of laughter, full of music, full of family. She made her house on School Street a home to anyone and everyone, and she filled her home with music. She loved running, coaching basketball, and playing the trumpet in the community band. She also enjoyed years of volunteering at the local cable access television channel. Perhaps best of all, she loved cheering on her sons and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, of whom she was their loudest champion. Affectionately known to them as “Mammie”, she was always their biggest fan.  

Born to Richard Weymouth McDougall and Gabriella Boyd McDougall of Eastern Avenue on 8th Nov. 1931, Laura was born and raised in Boothbay Harbor and lived there all her life. She had five brothers and sisters: Richard Jr., Elliot, Pauline, Chandler, and Marjorie. She graduated from Boothbay Region High School at the top of her class in 1949. She married John “Jolly” Arsenault on June 24, 1950, and they had three sons: Billy, Gary and Ronny.  

Laura was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Boothbay Harbor. She worked for years as a waitress and a hostess at local restaurants including Irene’s and Jordan’s.  She was a champion bowler at Romar Bowling Lanes and a member of the Pythian Sisters. 

In addition to coaching girls' basketball at the elementary school, the high school and the YMCA, Laura was also the scorekeeper for at least two generations of Little League teams and a dedicated fan of the Red Sox and the Celtics.  

When she wasn’t on the field or at the gym, Laura could be found playing music and supporting local musicians. She played guitar, piano, violin, and trumpet. She especially loved to dance and sing along whenever her sons played with local bands. 

Laura was involved in her community in so many ways, but it was time with her family she cherished most.  

This June 24th would have been Jolly and Laura’s 76th wedding anniversary. Now they are reunited in heaven where they are certainly having a terrific bean supper followed by music — Ba with his banjo and Mammie with her guitar — and storytelling late into the evening that has everyone in heaven rolling with laughter. Mammie and Ba will probably be missed the most at Damariscotta Lake at their beautiful camp, where their spirits will certainly live forever.   

Laura was predeceased by her husband Jolly of 71 years.  

Surviving are their three sons, all of Boothbay: Billy Arsenault (Paula), Gary Arsenault (Debbie), Ronny Arsenault (Abbe Levin); six grandchildren: Lisa Arsenault (Lee Martin) of Colchester, England, Alex Arsenault (Chantalle) of Boothbay, Max Arsenault (Jessie) of Bath, Jack Arsenault of Los Angeles, Roy Arsenault of Bath, Jules Arsenault of Boothbay and five great-grandsons: Byron, Jax, Chase, Calvin and Remi. 

She was predeceased by her brother Richard Jr. (Virginia) of Boothbay, brother Elliot (Elizabeth) of Boothbay Harbor, sister Pauline Linnekin (Carroll) of Boothbay, brother Chandler (Joyce) of Florida, sister Marjorie (Richard) of Southport, and nephew Ricky Alley. 

She is survived by nieces and nephews Becky Roberts (Alfred) of Bayville, Kathryn McDougall of Greenbrier, Tennessee, Sandra Page (Stanley) of Boothbay Harbor, Sally Donahue of Boothbay Harbor, Leta Juckett (TJ) of Florida, Brian McDougall (Diana) of Florida, and Keith Alley of Southport. 

Laura’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and nurses who provided her excellent care during the final years of her life, especially Wendy Wood, Loretta Emerson, Dr. Aquilino Alamo, and Beacon Hospice. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Boothbay Harbor, 81 Townsend Ave, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538. 

Family and friends are warmly invited to gather in remembrance of Laura during visiting hours on Thursday, July 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hall Funeral Home. A Funeral Service and Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 17, at 2 p.m., also at Hall Funeral Home. All who knew and loved Laura are welcome to attend as we celebrate her life and the memories she leaves behind. 

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of arrangements. To extend online condolences please visit hallfuneralhomes.com.