She was a member of the Women's Patriotic Society, and even published an article "Charity" in the "Ladies Journal". The year 1826 was a hard time for Mariya Alexeyevna. Her mother died, and her eldest son Peter was convicted and sentenced to penal labour for his involvement in the Decembrist conspiracy. She moved to Paris, visiting Russia from time to time. She died in Paris on September 1, 1866, at age 88, in a Catholic convent, Du St Coeur de Marie.