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Hughes, Nancy A.
Fairport – August 4, 2020. Survived by Timothy Hughes, her husband of 58 years and four daughters, Maureen (Brian) Nornhold, Bridget (Daniel) Doyle, Deborah (Fernando) Carranza and Sarah (Daniel) Smith. Also survived by seven grandchildren: Patrick, Emily, Kerry, Timothy, Matthew, Madelyn and Liam. Four brothers and sisters also mourn her passing: Joseph (Jan) Ely, Daniel Ely, Alice (Paul) Marx and Mary Patricia Biek, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Nancy celebrated her 81st birthday on August 2. Born in Cedar Rapids, IA, she was predeceased by her parents, J. Max Ely and Mary Generose Ely and a sister, Mary Kay (Ron) Rehmann.
Nancy grew up in Cedar Rapids and graduated from Mercy High School and Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN. She taught eighth grade English before she and Tim were married on June 9, 1962. Many twists and turns throughout the Midwest and East Coast led them to settle in Fairport, NY in 1973 where the family stayed put for the next 46 years before moving 10 minutes away to the Victor area in 2019.
Primarily a homemaker devoted to raising her four daughters, Nancy did venture into the workaday world as a retail sales associate and a real estate agent. A devout Catholic, she served as a religious education teacher for many years at Saint John of Rochester parish where she also was a eucharistic minister and member of the Respect Life Committee. She also served as president of the Fairport chapter of the American Association of University Women where she developed long-time friendships with her fellow bridge group members. They were especially impressed with her special mushroom croustade hors d’oeurves which became required fare at social get-togethers. Tending to the gardens around her home was a constant source of enjoyment for Nancy. She spent long hours planting, trimming, pruning, and weeding. With the harvest season, she turned her attention to the annual family Thanksgiving celebration. While relatives from far and wide challenged each other in the afternoon Turkey Bowl, Nancy would be focused on how she was going to feed 20 or so celebrants, who would soon be sitting down to sumptuous fare served up with the finest of fine china and crystal. She brightened the day of everyone with her memorable one-of-a-kind laugh.
The family would like to extend sincere thanks to the leadership and staff at the Memory Care Center at Creekstone and the UR Medicine Hospice teams. Their dedication to Nancy’s comfort and well-being during her stay was outstanding. And we will always appreciate the thoughtful guidance of Dr. Cheryl Williams of the UR/Thompson Hospital Palliative Care unit and Dr. Patrick Nunno, Eastside Internal Medicine
A Funeral mass for Nancy will be held at 11 a.m. Monday August 10 at Saint John’s of Rochester church, 8 Wickford Way, Fairport, NY. For those family and friends who live out of the area, the service will be livestreamed from the church. www.stjohnfairport.org Burial will be at the Cedar Grove Cemetery Mausoleum, Notre Dame, IN, Aug. 14.
In lieu of flowers consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association and/or the American Heart Association.
Comments
7 responses to “Hughes, Nancy A.”
What a wonderful review of the fair Nancy’s life. I see our Tim’s fine hand in this and for that am grateful. A wonderful lady and a life well lived. As head of the charming “Hughes Ladies” of Fairport, Nancy was a kind inspiration and example to us all.
As one of Nancy’s bridge club friends, ( who always requested her mushroom croustades), I am sad to accept that Nancy will no longer be physically present with us when we are together. She will always be missed, and remembered with deep affection.
Tim and family: from faraway California, I send condolences, thoughts, and prayers to all of you for the loss of your beloved Nancy. It was my great privilege to work with Tim during the days when Kodak was a highly-respected brand. It was work that required long hours and so I know that had to be a hardship on the family and could not have been done without Nancy’s support. As a fellow ND graduate, I’m pleased that she will be buried in the shadow of the golden dome where she will be forever under the watchful care of Our Lady.
Pat and I join the Hughes family in feeling deep sorrow on Nancy’s passing. Our memories are many and enriched by a great deal of sharing that began with Pat and Nancy as fellow students at Saint Mary’s College at Notre Dame. Working together at Kodak, Tim and I often brought our families together while living in Fairport. We will treasure Nancy’s smile, her caring nature, her sturdy faith — and maybe most of all, a sense of humor topped by a her unique laugh — as keepsakes from a very worthy life. We send our love to Tim and the wonderful Hughes family.
I spent many days in Nancy’s home, hanging out with Debbie, one of my best friends. Nancy always made me feel welcome and always had something delicious to snack on. I can still hear her saying, “Now you girls…” My heart goes out to Maureen, Bridget, Debbie, and Sarah who have lost a gentle guiding light with a joyous laugh that will not soon be forgotten. Mr Hughes – you are also in my thoughts and prayers. The two of you were always a great inspiration for what a good marriage looked like. You had a strong, quiet love for each other, but you also each spoke your mind. That love and respect is something I will always remember.
Thinking of you all.
As a teen, being ‘forced’ to visit my parents friends for an afternoon cookout was always something to avoid. However heading to Shagbark Way to see the Hughes was actually one not to miss. Nancy and Tim were fun and interesting and the food was terrific. I have very fond memories of our visits there and other get togethers which usually involved a Notre Dame game – great times. My condolences go to Tim, the girls and the rest of the family. Nancy was loads of fun and her infectious laugh couldn’t help but bring a smile to your face.
Nancy was beautiful in every way. Sarah’s eulogy was just as beautiful, heartfelt, and thought provoking. My condolences to Tim and the entire family.