Obituary for Mary Kathleen Hughes (Murphy)
Mary Kathleen (Murphy) Hughes February 15, 1943 – June 1, 2023
Mary passed away peacefully on Thursday June 1st, 2023.
Mary was born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario to Norah Murphy (King) and Lawrence Murphy. Joining her older brother John and followed by younger sister Kathryn. Moved to Dundas Ontario, and then East York. Mary was a Girl Guide throughout her youth. She worked summers and after high school at Simpsons downtown Toronto. Mary then studied and graduated nursing from Nightingale School of Nursing, University of Toronto in 1964. There she made friends that kept in contact throughout the years. After graduating, she worked with the Toronto VON (home care services) and at Toronto East General in the maternity ward. She was proud and thankful for her time in nursing.
Mary met husband, Howard while in nursing school. They were married February 1966 and were together for 56 years. H&M had 3 children: Robert Howard Hughes, June 1969, Christopher Charles Hughes, August 1971 & Jill Mary Hughes, November 1974.
With the strength of their bond and shared vision with Howard, his brother Peter, and wife Patricia, Mary left nursing to pursue their dreams together. H&M, P&P all lived together in Toronto & started building small sailboats which quickly evolved into Hughes Boatworks and was purchased by US Steel in the early 1970’s. They then pursued Howard’s interest in aviation & relocated to a property outside Orangeville, where they built a large family home with a landing strip and aircraft hanger. Howard, Mary, Peter, Pat, Rob, Chris & Jill all became pilots.
Howard and Mary embarked on several endeavors together as equal partners in the decades to follow, including manufacturing GM motor coaches, refurbishing aircraft, reacquired Hughes Boatworks (Northstar Yachts), acquired Columbia Yachts, swimming pool manufacturing and installation, and motorhome rentals.
Never idle, Mary always had a project: Gardening, knitting, stained glass, refinishing furniture, sewing. Most projects with someone in mind to gift to.
Mary and Howard always had an open door policy. They greatly enjoyed welcoming visitors for morning coffee, happy hour or shared dinners. A place to stay was always a given. Through Mary and Howard’s retirement years they spent time in Florida, Owen Sound and Collingwood, making new friends at every turn and hosting guests daily.
Mary touched many lives and will be greatly missed by family and friends. Daughter Jill and husband Johnny Lim, son Chris and wife Michelle, grandchildren Andrew & Robert thank you for sharing in remembering Mary.
If you would like to make a donation on her behalf, we ask you to consider 'Baycrest Fear No Age' to support dementia research. https://fearnoage.com/
A tree will be planted in memory of Mary in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. 21st Annual Dedication Service will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com
Mary passed away peacefully on Thursday June 1st, 2023.
Mary was born in Kirkland Lake, Ontario to Norah Murphy (King) and Lawrence Murphy. Joining her older brother John and followed by younger sister Kathryn. Moved to Dundas Ontario, and then East York. Mary was a Girl Guide throughout her youth. She worked summers and after high school at Simpsons downtown Toronto. Mary then studied and graduated nursing from Nightingale School of Nursing, University of Toronto in 1964. There she made friends that kept in contact throughout the years. After graduating, she worked with the Toronto VON (home care services) and at Toronto East General in the maternity ward. She was proud and thankful for her time in nursing.
Mary met husband, Howard while in nursing school. They were married February 1966 and were together for 56 years. H&M had 3 children: Robert Howard Hughes, June 1969, Christopher Charles Hughes, August 1971 & Jill Mary Hughes, November 1974.
With the strength of their bond and shared vision with Howard, his brother Peter, and wife Patricia, Mary left nursing to pursue their dreams together. H&M, P&P all lived together in Toronto & started building small sailboats which quickly evolved into Hughes Boatworks and was purchased by US Steel in the early 1970’s. They then pursued Howard’s interest in aviation & relocated to a property outside Orangeville, where they built a large family home with a landing strip and aircraft hanger. Howard, Mary, Peter, Pat, Rob, Chris & Jill all became pilots.
Howard and Mary embarked on several endeavors together as equal partners in the decades to follow, including manufacturing GM motor coaches, refurbishing aircraft, reacquired Hughes Boatworks (Northstar Yachts), acquired Columbia Yachts, swimming pool manufacturing and installation, and motorhome rentals.
Never idle, Mary always had a project: Gardening, knitting, stained glass, refinishing furniture, sewing. Most projects with someone in mind to gift to.
Mary and Howard always had an open door policy. They greatly enjoyed welcoming visitors for morning coffee, happy hour or shared dinners. A place to stay was always a given. Through Mary and Howard’s retirement years they spent time in Florida, Owen Sound and Collingwood, making new friends at every turn and hosting guests daily.
Mary touched many lives and will be greatly missed by family and friends. Daughter Jill and husband Johnny Lim, son Chris and wife Michelle, grandchildren Andrew & Robert thank you for sharing in remembering Mary.
If you would like to make a donation on her behalf, we ask you to consider 'Baycrest Fear No Age' to support dementia research. https://fearnoage.com/
A tree will be planted in memory of Mary in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. 21st Annual Dedication Service will be held on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com