Hughes, Helen E. 1927-2016

HUGHES, PUDA, MIGLA, BOURGEOIS, MATHES

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/26/2016 at 11:29:16

Helen E. Hughes, 89, of Newton died on Wednesday, February 24, 2016, at her son’s home. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 1, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The family will greet friends from 5:30-7 p.m., Monday, February 29, at the church with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m. Memorials to Willowbrook Daycare, the Alzheimer’s Association, or Sacred Heart Catholic Church may be left at the church during the services or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.

Helen, the daughter of Edward and Valerie (Puda) Migala, was born on February 19, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in Chicago where she graduated from high school and college with a degree in voice. Growing up she would spend her summers in Mystic, Iowa with her grandparents.

On July 4, 1951, Helen was united in marriage with Robert J. Hughes in Mystic. They made their home in Newton, Iowa. Helen was a homemaker raising the couples three children; Bob, Ruth, and Joseph. She always had a love of music and sang for many weddings and funerals and was a member of the Harmonettes. Helen was an active member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she also sang in the choir. Helen enjoyed corresponding with pen pals, reading, knitting, and was an articulate and witty conversationalist. She also was a fabulous baker; a couple of family favorites include banana bread and snickerdoodles.

Helen is survived by her three children, Bob (Sherry) Hughes of Newton, Ruth Anne Bourgeois of Taos, New Mexico, and Joseph Hughes of Las Vegas, Nevada; three grandchildren, Rob (Christie) Hughes, Doug (Tammy) Hughes, and Nicki (Jake) Mathes; her eight great-grandchildren, Joey, Bethanie, and Kaytlynn Hughes, Makari, Ahlia, and Uriah Hughes, and Alexandra and Arend Mathes; four great-great-grandchildren; and her cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. ~ The Wallace Family Funeral Home, Newton, Iowa 24 Feb 2016.