Margaret Hughes

She was born on May 20th, 1930 in Kenilworth, NJ and later moved to Melvindale, MI with her parents Bertrim and Margaret “Maggie” Barr. In high school, she was a cheerleader and the homecoming queen. At 18, she met her husband, Joe Hughes. They married in 1949 and had 2 children, Patti and Larry. Living in Livonia, MI, they built a community of friends and neighbors who were like family, many of which Joan remained close with to this day.

In 1967, the Hughes family moved to Safety Harbor, FL, along with Joan's mother Maggie. Joan worked for many years in retail, where her vibrant personality, glamorous style and ability to connect with anyone shined. After retiring, she became the receptionist at Perfections Nail Salon, owned by her friend Shari Queen. Her friends and family jokingly referred to her position as "Social Director" because she handled all of the parties and entertained clients daily with her warmth and humor.

In 2002, Joe passed away after 52 years of marriage. Joan subsequently moved into a condo in Yorktown and much to everyone’s surprise, she fell in love with her landlord and downstairs neighbor, Norman Hildenbrand, who is from New York. Like two teenagers, they were giddy in love and Joan's family quickly welcomed him in as one of their own. Joan and Norm were able to travel the world together on cruises, complete multiple U.S. road trips and European vacations and experience a late-in-life love that is one out of a storybook. The two were well known in the local restaurant scene, as they were constantly going out for dinner and drinks, making friends with every server, bartender and host that they encountered. Norm loved his ‘sweetheart’ endlessly and he treated her like a queen for the past 22 years.

Joan had a special ability to connect easily with strangers, making people instantly fall in love with her charm, wit and humor. She had an eternally young spirit and an incredible memory - she was able to recall people and events with such vivid detail, which made her great at one of her favorite shows, Jeopardy. She loved to stay up to date with pop culture, fashion trends and technology. Joan was effortlessly fashionable and always had her hair and nails done, jokingly calling herself "The Diva". She was so young at heart and full of life that people were constantly baffled to learn her actual age. She said the secret to a happy, long life was to keep laughing and to surround yourself with young people, which she did everyday.

Joan's daughter Patti and her husband Don loved and adored Joan, even moving to Safety Harbor to be closer to her and Norm years ago. They were fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with each other, socializing around the Yorktown community, where Joan had many friends.

Joan was also incredibly close to her three granddaughters, Sara Stonecipher, Kaitlyn Rondolino and Cristina Fick and adored each of their spouses; Nathan Stonecipher, Steven Papuchis and Joey Fick. She was deeply loved by her 3 great-grandchildren, Hannah, Emilia and Giovanni, who lovingly referred to her as their "Gigi".

Joan died a happy woman and lived a life full of wonderful family and friends, beautiful memories and lots of laughter. She decided she was ready to move on to Heaven so she could "travel again" and passed away peacefully with Norm and Patti by her side.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, June 14, 2026 from 1-3 o’clock at Yorktown at Beacon Place 604 Baldwin Ave in Safety Harbor, FL.