Mercedes Elizabeth McHugh

Mercedes Elizabeth McHugh, 93, of Springfield, died Thursday, June 9, 2005 at St. John’s Hospital. She was born October 21, 1911, the daughter of Ann Marie (Aimëe) Maisenbacher and Frank J. Mueller. She was born at the home of grandparents Pauline Girard and Frederick Maisenbacher. The home is located at the N.W. corner of 6th and North Grand Ave. She was a 4th generation Springfield native. Her great grandparents on both the maternal and paternal sides lived in Springfield in the 1840’s. Merecedes married Robert J. McHugh in 1930; he preceded her in death in 1993. Also preceding her in death was her sister Johnette Verardi. She is survived by her daughter: Nancy (husband, Ralph) Hahn of Springfield; three grandchildren: Aimëe (husband, Don) Lanphere of Glenview, Martha (husband, Dwight) Hirsch of College Station, TX and John Carl Becker of Pasadena, CA; five great grandchildren: Kevin, Michael and Joseph Lanphere and Katherine and Madeleine Hirsch. Mercedes had the classique education of her time: Hay Edwards Elementary School, Springfield High School and Illinois State in Bloomington. She was a piano student of Madame Tiffany’s School of Music; she excelled at Lucy Bates Dance Academy and attended the Betty Stuart Institute for elocution. She was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church, was a life member of the Springfield Civic Garden Club, Lincoln Memorial Garden, Sangamon Watercolor Society, Illinois State Museum Society and Springfield Art Association. She belonged to the Conductor’s Circle of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and was a member of Illini Country Club. She supported the Springfield Area Arts Council and as a watercolorist exhibited at the Old Capitol Art Fair for 14 years. Family will receive friends from 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 5:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 15, 2005 at Church of the Little Flower, 800 Adlai Stevenson Dr., Springfield with Fr. Chuck Edwards celebrant. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Lincoln Memorial Garden Foundation, Inc. 2301 East Lake Drive, Springfield, IL 62707. The family of Mercedes McHugh is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 St. 6th St. Springfield.