Patricia "Trish" Nancy Hughes

Patricia Nancy “Trish” Hughes, 69, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2018 in Richardson, TX after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Born on March 15, 1948 in Chicago, Il. Trish was the daughter of the late Arley Leslie and Lillian (nee Lomedico) Wetzel. She attended elementary school in Berwyn, Il and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University in 1970. In 1995, she earned a Master of Arts in Reading degree from Texas Women’s University.

Trish is survived by her husband of 46 years, John Farrell Hughes; sons Michael John Hughes (Mary Kathryn Mitchell) and Jonathan Wetzel Hughes; daughter Katherine Farrell Hughes; grandson Henry Michael Hughes; sister Arlene (Walter) Gordon; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Trish was preceded in death by her sister, Linda Sue Wetzel.

A lifelong teacher, Trish began the classroom portion of her career in San Diego, CA where she met her future husband. Subsequent moves found her teaching in Loganville, GA; Nashville, TN and Gainesville, TX. Shortly after a corporate move to Dallas and the birth of her first child, Trish focused her many gifts on becoming a life teacher for her children. Through her words and actions, she accomplished her mission by raising three educated, loving, compassionate children. Her mottos of “Live, Love, Laugh” and “Because Nice Matters” adorned the kitchen walls. Once Michael, Jonathan and Katie were in high school or beyond, Trish resumed her teaching career as an adjunct professor at Brookhaven College in Farmers Branch, TX.

Trish also volunteered at All Saints Catholic Church and her children’s schools – the Parish Day School, J. J. Pearce High School and Jesuit College Preparatory School. She was president of the All Saints Women’s Organization (2004-2006) and was selected as their Woman of the Year in 2009. In that same year, Trish was named a Women of the Year by the Dallas Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. She was also recognized by the staff of the Parish Day School with the Bondy-Lee Award in 1994.

The family wishes to thank the management and staff of Friends Place and Arden Courts, both of Richardson, for their loving, compassionate and skillful care over the past several years. Special thanks are extended to Cindy, Ernestine and Innocent who were by Trish’s side during her four year stay at Arden Courts. Also, thanks to Faith Presbyterian Hospice for their care and support for the past year.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday morning, February 24, 2018 at All Saints Catholic Church, 5231 Meadowcreek Drive, Dallas. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

A private inurnment service will take place at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on Monday, February 26, 2018.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Trish’s memory can be made to:

The Trish Hughes Scholarship for Catholic Education (https://bishopsgolf.org/donations/trish/)

The Hughes Family Scholarship at Saint Leo University, Saint Leo, FL (https://your.saintleo.edu/give). Under Designation, please click Other and designate Hughes Family Scholarship.

The Alzheimer’s Association (https://act.alz.org/goto/trish)

Sparkman Funeral Home of Richardson is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared at www.sparkmanrichardson.com.