Celeste Marie Dupre

It is with deep sadness, but immense gratitude for a life well lived, that we announce the passing of Celeste Marie Dupre, who passed away peacefully on July 25th, 2026, at the age of 70.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on November 13, 1955, Celeste was the beloved daughter of Raymond and Simone Gelinas. Raised in a loving Roman Catholic family, she carried the values of faith, compassion, service, and kindness throughout her life.

Celeste graduated from Holyoke Catholic High School in 1973, where she formed friendships that would last a lifetime. She earned her Associate's Degree from Holyoke Community College in 1975, her Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Miami in 1977, and later her Master's Degree in Education from American International College in Springfield.

Teaching was not simply Celeste's first profession—it was part of who she was. She began her career teaching grammar school at St. Joseph's School in Springfield, but she remained a teacher throughout every chapter of her life. Whether she was raising her children, encouraging a friend, mentoring a colleague, offering advice, or sharing something she had learned, Celeste had a natural ability to guide and inspire others. She was a lifelong teacher in every sense of the word.

In July 1982, Celeste married the love of her life, Gene Armond Dupre, beginning a partnership filled with love, laughter, friendship, and family. Over the years, Celeste pursued a variety of careers and adventures, eventually combining her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to establish Celeste Dupre Design after the family moved to South Carolina in 2000.

Of all the roles Celeste held during her life, none meant more to her than being a wife, mother, grandmother, relative, and friend. Family was at the center of her world. She loved them fiercely and found her greatest happiness in simply being together—celebrating holidays, carrying on traditions, sharing meals, laughing, talking, and creating memories.

Celeste loved her friends just as wholeheartedly. She formed deep friendships everywhere she went and maintained many of them across decades and miles. She genuinely wanted to know how people were doing, what was happening in their lives, and how she could encourage or support them. Easy to talk to and quick to listen, she became a trusted confidante whose advice was sought by family and friends alike.

And Celeste knew how to have fun. She was the life of the party. She loved being surrounded by people, loved conversation and laughter, and could strike up a friendship with almost anyone. She never met a stranger. Her warmth and energy drew people toward her, and wherever Celeste was, there was a good chance people were talking, laughing, and enjoying themselves.

Celeste is survived by her beloved husband, Gene Armond Dupre; her children, Alexander Dupre, Jillian Dupre, and Luke Dupre and his wife, Chloe Dupre; her cherished grandchildren, Jack Dupre, Graham Dupre, and Sadie Dupre; her brothers, Paul Gelinas and his wife, Anna Gelinas, and Mark Gelinas; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Raymond and Simone Gelinas.

A Celebration of Life honoring Celeste will be held in the coming months. The family looks forward to gathering with relatives and friends to share memories, laughter, and stories while celebrating a woman who brought so much joy to the lives of others. Details regarding the date, time, and location will be shared once arrangements have been finalized.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the American Liver Foundation, or that acts of kindness be performed in Celeste's memory.

Celeste's legacy lives on in the family she loved so deeply, the friendships she treasured, the lessons she shared, and the countless people whose lives were brighter because she was part of them. She taught us to care for one another, to listen, to encourage, to laugh often, and above all, to love the people in our lives well.

She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.