MARY Hughes was someone who loved life, was generous of spirit, was a great communicator to all ages and cared deeply for people.
She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt and she had a deep faith which carried her through her long life.
The first of three children of Hugh and Margaret McGuigan, my mother grew up on a farm in 'the Doone' on the southern shores of Lough Neagh.
On the night she was born in July 1923, she said my grandfather had to go through the fields to get Nurse Smith from Stewartstown as there was a curfew at that time.
She would also say that she and the water came together - the nearby Waterworks were built that year and a pump put outside their home.
As a young woman she led a typical country life of hard work, hospitality, cèilidhing in each other’s homes and a strong focus on faith.
She met my father, Jim Joe, at a dance in Maghery and they married in 1953.
Even though she was moving just a mile and a half away, it could have been the other side of the world.
She said she cried the night before she left but came to love her new home and her neighbours just as much over the next 67 years.
My mother could put her hand to anything, whether working on the farm or in the insurance brokerage my father had.
She could have been out feeding calves, then filling in a cover note, and running in to check on dinner in between.
We came along as well, Mary Jo, Francis, Katherine and Caroline, and through it all she juggled everything. She also made sure that prayer life and attendance at chapel was given priority.
My mother went to Lough Derg numerous times as well as Knock and had constant candles lit for travellers, anyone doing exams or for any kind of concern.
Her advice to her grandchildren was "always be kind and say your prayers".
She was the ultimate people person and welcomed everyone at the farm with a radiating warmth, as well as whatever meal of the day was closest.
She took part in all that happened in parish life including helping out with guest teas, as a member of the bowling club and for over 40 years with Clonoe Apostolic Association.
My mother had an amazing ability to connect people and recount stories from previous generations.
Sadly my father passed away in 1996 and after 43 years together she missed him greatly. However, she got on with life and would make two trips to America with her friend Rosaleen.
She was interested in all that was going on in the world and was an avid Irish News reader, having items read out when her sight began failing.
She particularly enjoyed the opinion pieces and Anita Robinson’s column.
The last story I read to her was of a young neighbour, James Donnelly, who was in Australia recounting his experience during Covid. It typified her interest in people, especially in the local community.
Her lifetime of kindness and connection was reflected in the many relatives, friends, neighbours, carers and clergy who cared for her, visited or called especially in her latter years.
Mary Hughes passed away on December 20 aged 97 at her home and is very much missed by her family and wider family circle.
Kate Lesslar
