Irene W. Hughes

She was born in Ishpeming, Michigan on May 24, 1931 to John and Lillian (Drew) Corlett. She graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1949. Irene moved to the “big city” of Grand Rapids in the early 1950’s where she met and married her husband, Rex G. Hughes, in 1955. After a few years living in Bear Lake, Michigan, where they owned the Bear Lake Bar, they returned to the “big city” to continue raising their family. Irene worked for many years for Canteen Services at Knape and Vogt. She volunteered at Welcome Home for the Blind reading to residents. She also volunteered in after school reading programs for the Grand Rapids Public Schools.

Irene was a life-long cribbage player. She also enjoyed knitting. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have custom knit items from her. Many babies have kept their little heads warm under beanies she knitted. She enjoyed Wii bowling, starting and managing the league at her assisted living residence. She loved her Tigers, Lions (after bailing on the U. P.’s team, the Green Bay Packers), and Spartans, especially the MSU basketball coach, Tom Izzo, who started his coaching career at her alma mater, Ishpeming High School. She was a super fan of the Comstock Park Panthers when her children played sports there. She loved going to the big lake at Grand Haven (though she was quick to remind us the “big lake” really meant Lake Superior) and eating Pronto Pups! She loved lighthouses, boat rides, outdoor concerts, and gardens. But most of all, she loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, Les, Jack, and Tom, her husband, Rex G. Hughes Sr., and her son Rex G. Hughes Jr. She is survived by her children, Laura (Ken Postema) Hughes, Sheila Hughes, and Michael (Nancy) Hughes. Her grandchildren, Collin (Alexander) Horn, Alexandra (Cody Kwiatkowski) Hughes, and Michael (Jenna) Hughes II. Her great-grandchildren, Noah, Hudson, Emmeline, Sebastian, and Cora. Several nieces and nephews. She will be remembered for her resilience, her positivity, her quick wit, and her kindness. She was greatly loved and will be missed by many.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 8, at 10:00 a.m. followed by her memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Reyers North Valley Chapel, 2815 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Knots of Love (www.knotsoflove.org) or Comstock Park Athletic Boosters (www.comstockparkpanthers.com).