Aug. 26, 1926-April 10, 2022
Mary Jane Hughes, 95, passed peacefully April 10, 2022. She was born on Aug. 26, 1926, in Baker, Oregon, to Verne Perry Brätt and Amy Marie Salisbury, the second of their four children. She married Otis Marvin Hughes on Nov. 5, 1946, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints St. George Utah Temple.
Otis and Mary Jane met in Cascade, Idaho, on July 4, 1946, and went on to parent 16 children — eight boys and eight girls: Richard, Sharon, Janie, Joanne, Douglas, Delbert, Rebecca, Dennis, Paul, Verne, Leslie, Delmar, Tracy, Kelli, Mary and Michael.
This lifelong labor of love took place in various towns in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, California and Utah. When her youngest child started school, Mary Jane began volunteering at that same school. She went on to work in the media center and eventually became a Certificated Media Center Specialist, earning a full retirement from the Alpine School District.
She served in various capacities in the LDS Church, including Primary Teacher and Relief Society President for eight years. She and Otis served a service mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the American Fork Employment Center and another service mission doing extraction work for genealogy for the church.
She and Otis raised children in the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s. In more ways than one, Mary Jane was a timeless woman. She delighted in sewing clothing for her children and making a home where they would feel secure and loved. She was an expert quilter, and crochet was her favorite pastime. She made countless blankets and afghans for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was known for her natural skills in baking bread and cookies, decorating wedding cakes, canning and candy making. She frequently volunteered her time in community service including the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary.
She is preceded in death by all those who passed before her. She is survived by all those who will pass after her.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 15, at the LDS chapel, 272 South 700 West, Hurricane, at 11 a.m. Graveside services will follow at the Springdale City Cemetery in Springdale.
The family wishes to thank the talented, supportive and friendly staff of the Haven at Sky Mountain Assisted Living Center, as well as Mary Jane’s hospice nurses.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, (435) 673-2454.
Friends and family are invited to sign Mary Jane’s online guestbook.