Shirley J. Hughes

Shirley Jean Hughes passed away, at the age of 87, on Thursday February 8, 2024, in Woodville, Wisconsin.

Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was a strong woman who raised seven children including three with special needs while working outside the home. She inspired others by demonstrating the best qualities of motherhood. Shirley supported the varying needs and interests of all family members and made sure that her children felt they were able to pursue any activity or career they found of interest. 

Shirley and her husband, Dick, enjoyed traveling to visit family members and see the country. In retirement, Shirley, Dick, and son Michael traveled to Texas, Washington, Tennessee, and Minnesota to visit family. They visited many state parks and sites on their travels. They attended Special Olympics events where Mike was a participant. Shirley and Dick helped establish the Association for Retarded Children in Phillips and were strong supporters of Special Olympics.

Within the family, Shirley was known for her dry sense of humor, straightforward commentary, and a deep desire to see her family excel. She also had a love of dancing and music and was known for her dancing ability. She had a lovely singing voice that was used most often in church as a member of St. Therese of Lisieux. Shirley's final years were spent in Marshfield and Woodville, Wisconsin, but had been a Phillips resident for more than 50 years.

She is survived by her children, Deborah (Tom) Handy of Pullman, WA, Linda Borene, of Surprize, AZ, Ronald Hughes (Holly), of Fort Worth, TX, and Sandra Bradley, of Nashville, TN; grandchildren, James, Jonathan, and Robert Handy, Kimberly (Greg) Haugen, Heather (Seth) Hughes, Kaitlin (Russell) Griffin, Brandy (Tyler) Treib, and Gordon Bradley; great grandchildren, Adeline, Elizabeth, and William Haugen, Gemma and Amelia Treib, and Colton Griffin; and brother, Roland Ekern. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard; sons, William, Gordon, and Michael; sons-in-law, Dino Bradley and Bernard Borene. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church, 655 S. Lake Ave, Phillips, WI, 54555, with Father Madanu Lourdu Raju officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue until the time of Mass at the church. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in the spring. Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral Home is assisting the family. 

For those wishing to honor her memory in further ways, the family suggests donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Red Apple Center in Phillips, or Special Olympics.