KATHERYN BEST HUGHES passed away on February 3, 2023 at the age of 66. Born on March 22, 1956 to Donald Ross Best and Carolyn Virginia (White) Best, she was a native of Jacksonville, Florida. Kathy was a wife, sister, aunt, godmother, and a cat lover. Kathy filled many roles and touched many hearts in her life.
Katheryn graduated from Terry Parker High School, where she played the flute in the celebrated Terry Parker High School Marching Band. The flute was just the beginning of Kathy’s artistic pursuits as she went on to pursue pottery, card making, and a wide variety of crafts with her Cricut crafting machine.
In her teens and twenties she worked as a hair model in competition for Cathy Coleman. She also pursued a career in education and obtained a Master’s degree from the University of North Florida in Guidance Counseling. Kathy was a highly respected Elementary School Teacher and Guidance Counselor for 35 years with the Duval County Schools and worked 5 years in Guidance Counseling at the Seaside Community Charter School.
She was well known for her bold and beautiful fashion sense and her accompanying love of shopping. Kathy was a lifelong avid tennis player (known for colorful shoelaces) and more recently a Pickleball player. She was also a lifelong Jacksonville Jaguar fan, owning season tickets with her husband Brian since the team was founded.
She will be missed by her family and many friends and former students whose lives she touched. She had a striking smile and genuine love for everyone she met.
Kathy was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need, as she displayed strength of character while having a wonderful disposition. Those around her were always amazed by her ability to live in the moment and maintain a passionate zest for life, no matter what was thrown her way.
She is survived by her husband Brian Hughes, sisters Cynthia Genz (Erik) of Wellington, FL, Kelly Hasty of Jacksonville, FL as well as her brother Steven Best (Dot) of Hickory, NC. She will be dearly missed by her surviving nieces, nephews, and godchildren: Marisa, Sarah, Taylor, Max, Forest, Hunter; Carolyn, Alaina, Caitlyn, Matthew, Edward, Natalie, Chris; Kristen, Joshua, Danielle, Christopher, and Robert.
There will be a funeral mass held for Kathy on Saturday March 18, 2023 at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church at 11am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her name to the Blessed Trinity Catholic School (10472 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32246); St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis TN; or an animal shelter.
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