Peggy Hughes

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Margaret Mary “Peggy” Hughes, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away at 4:10pm on April 20, 2023, in her home, with her loving husband by her side, after a 7-year long illness.

Peggy was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 3, 1943 to Kenneth Lane McClintick and Mary Catherine (Downey) McClintick. She grew up in Joplin and received her First Holy Communion and her Confirmation at St. Peter's Catholic Church. Peggy later moved to Omaha, Nebraska where she attended Mercy High School and graduated in 1961.

On October 14, 1967, she married the love of her life, William G. Hughes, in Kansas City Missouri. Together, they raised their two children Mary Patricia Hughes Ashmore and Shane Lane Hughes.

Peggy graduated from Missouri Southern State University, Joplin with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, in 1985. Her Nursing practice varied but she enjoyed her experiences in Cardiac Care as well as Mental Health Care.

In 1991, when her son went to serve in the Gulf War, Peggy could not stand by and wait for him to return. Instead, she volunteered to serve and received a Congressional Waiver for her age and joined the US Navy Nurse Corp.

At the age of 63, Peggy retired from her nursing career and spent her free time traveling and spending time with her family. Peggy and Bill traveled to Greece, Rome, Israel and Ireland as well as cruised the Caribbean and the waters of Alaska. Her favorite of these was her trip to Israel. She dearly loved the Jewish faith and the history surrounding it.

Peggy volunteered as "Pink Lady" for Mercy Hospital. She taught religious education at St. Peters Catholic Church where she also served as a Eucharistic Minister. She and her husband are currently members of Sacred Heart Church in Webb City.

After 7 years of illness, Peggy will be missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her husband William G. Hughes, her daughter Mary Patrician Hughes Ashmore and son in-law Todd Ashmore, her son Shane Lane Hughes and daughter in-law Angela Mosbaugh Hughes. She had 10 grandchildren who she absolutely adored: Christopher, Kylie, Meghan, Lauren, Madelyn, Courtney, Canon, Lane, William and Aidan. We are so grateful to God that she was also able to meet her 2 great grandchildren, Mackenzie Margaret Mary and June Elizabeth.

We have been blessed to have her in our lives, but now we must let her go to be with Jesus, who we are sure has welcomed her through the Gates of Heaven.

Visitation at Thornhill- Dillon Mortuary on Tuesday, April 25th from 5pm- 7pm with Funeral Mass on Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 10am. After Mass, Military Honors will be rendered at Mt. Hope Cemetery with William Hughes, III, Canon Hughes, Aidan Hughes, Joseph Scroggins, Maxfield McNiel, Chris Webster and Lane Ashmore serving as pallbearers. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri.