Patricia McNulty Hughes

Born in Columbus, Ohio, on June 6, 1936, Pat lived a remarkable life filled with adventure, faith, family, and service. She graduated from Holy Rosary High School and attended the College of St. Mary of the Springs (now Ohio Dominican University), where she studied nursing and played on the basketball team. In her early years, she continued playing in recreational leagues, often toting her babies and young children along to watch from the sidelines.

While raising four children, Pat learned to fly, a passion that soon became her calling. She raced airplanes in international competitions before beginning a distinguished 30-year career with the Ohio Division of Aviation, serving as the “Governor’s pilot.” She proudly flew Governors Gilligan, Rhodes, Celeste, Voinovich, and Taft. She was a member of the Ninety-Nines, the international organization of women pilots.

Upon retirement, Pat embraced new passions with the same vigor. She took up snow skiing and golf, visiting nearly every major resort in the United States (and a few abroad), and achieved the rare feat of shooting her age on the golf course. She was a proud, active member of the Executive Women’s Golf Association and a three-time winner of the Parent-Child Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club. To her family, she was our own Amelia Earhart, Jack Nicklaus, and Lindsey Vonn rolled into one.

Pat was altruistic and generous with her time, giving freely without expecting anything in return. Service was her north star. For more than 20 years, she volunteered every Monday morning at the Holy Family Church soup kitchen. She also dedicated her energy to Habitat for Humanity; Grandview Parks and Recreation; League of Women Voters; Columbus Public Schools; and as an Al-Anon counselor.

Committed to social justice, she was active in BREAD, an organization devoted to holding decision-makers accountable to solve community problems. She remained active in her parish, singing in the choir. What some saw as burdens, Pat embraced as blessings. She chose a life of service, love, and gratitude - never asking for recognition, never complaining, and never slowing down.

Pat proved equality by example. She worked in a man’s world with strength, skill, and quiet courage. She wore no labels and needed none. Instead, she simply put her head down and did her job with no-nonsense confidence. She drove fast, walked fast, and lived fast, always with energy and joy. Her favorite advice: “When you feel like taking a nap, go walk around the block.” She lived zealously and deliberately, giving her family and friends the greatest gift of all - an example of how to live.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward J. McNulty and Clara Yoakum McNulty; brother, Edward J. McNulty; sister, Mary R. Rappold; brothers-in-law, Joseph P. Gill, Jr., Joseph A. Rappold, George G. Hughes, and Denis J. Murphy; and her former husband, James J. Hughes, Jr., and special friend Joseph Wagenhals. She is survived by her sister, Margaret (Peggy) Gill; children, Julie (Pat) Gibson, James J. (Kathleen) Hughes III, Amy Hughes, and Terri (Jason) Harwood; seven grandchildren - Kate (Adam) Abbot, Amy (Chris) Riedel, Bethany Gibson-Smith (Walker Smith), Rachel (Colin) White, Reilly Hughes, Ryan Alger, and Jack Harwood; and eight great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Maureen (Mimi) Hughes Murphy, Ann Farrell Hughes, and Carter Mason Hughes; brother-in-law, Michael G. Hughes; and many nieces and nephews.

We bragged about her because we were so proud of her. Pat was a force of nature, a woman of discipline, kindness, faith, and laughter. Fiercely independent, she had a warm smile and an infectious laugh that could light up any room. She loved life, lived without regret, and leaves a legacy of strength and joy.

For her final flight, Pat is cleared to “Fly West” into the sunset, climb unrestricted.

Visitation will be held 3:00–6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Schoedinger Northwest, 1740 Zollinger Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 15, 2025, at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 1420 Grandview Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43212.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to BREAD, 404 S. Third Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Please include Pat’s name and congregation (St. Christopher Catholic Church) on the memo line.