Ruth Hughes Obituary, Death – Ruth “Kathleen” Hughes grew up in Ironton, Ohio, and was born in Akron. In 1946, she graduated from Ironton High School. She attended Denison University as a Music major after working for three years. She met Robert Hughes, a senior, early in her first year, and her plans were altered. In August 1950, they married and relocated to Philadelphia so that Robert could attend seminary. They began their ministry in small churches across the state in 1954.
Kathleen served as a Sunday School teacher, choir director, pianist/organist, and in any other capacity that was required. She retired as the organist at Faith Fellowship Baptist Church at the age of 89. Kathleen was a Girl Scout both as a child and as an adult. Later in life, she became involved in American Baptist Women and American Baptist Church life at the local, state, and national levels. Kathleen was a gifted musician who could both sing and play the piano.
Throughout high school, she participated in a number of recitals and concerts as a soloist or as an accompanist. In a Denison theme, she wrote, “I want to be surrounded by children, whether mine or someone else’s.” It doesn’t matter if they have dirty faces and ragged clothes if I can teach them to love music…” Among others, she enjoyed performing with her son David, son-in-law Greg, and granddaughter Katie. Kathleen was a die-hard Indians/Guardians fan; their games were the only reason she had a TV! She also liked to read and cross-stitch.
Kathleen’s husband, 67, daughter Debra Anderson, brother Raymond, sister Marjorie Miller, and Tigger, her 20-year companion, all died before her. Stephanie (Steve) Colton, Gwenyth Peterman, David, Heidi (Robert) Carr, Laurie Yeckle, Daniel, and Gretchen (Greg) Fiocca are among her children, as are 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank the staff at Maplewood Senior Living as well as the staff at Serenity Hospice for taking such good care of Mom in her final eight months.
Please join us at Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, on Tuesday, November 22nd, to celebrate Kathleen’s life. The calling hour begins at 10:00 a.m., followed by the service at 11:00 a.m. At 2:00 p.m., a graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery, 835 Kaler Ave, Bucyrus, OH. Faith Fellowship Baptist Church, 2152 Hoch Dr, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221, is accepting memorial contributions. Except for neon, Mom’s favorite color in all shades was pink! Wear pink in honor of this incredible woman who touched so many people’s lives.
