Mary Coughlin Hughes passed on Thanksgiving Day, 2015 at her retirement home, Tryon Estates, in Columbus, N.C., at the age of 94 (May 6, 1921 – November 26, 2015).

She was born in New York City to Marion Lynehan and John Coughlin and grew up in West Hartford, Conn. and Larchmont, N.Y. She was the widow of Joseph F. Hughes (1921-1997). She is  survived by daughter, Michaela Kelly, and son, Brian Michael, and her brother John (Jack) Coughlin, his wife, Diane, and numerous nieces and nephews.

During World War II, Mary served in the United States Marine Corps, first as Commanding Officer of a women’s squadron at Cherry Point Marine Air Base (N.C.) and later as Marine Liaison Officer on the staff of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air) in Washington.

Mary and Joe spent most of their married life in Houston where Joe was associated with Prudential. Prior to her marriage, Mary worked for Life Magazine in advertising. After her children were grown she returned to work as state program director for Texas Prevention of Blindness. There she was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Texas School Vision Screening Law. She also produced a Vision Screening Training film and edited the Eye Safety Manual, both of which are still used in Texas schools today.

In Houston, during the turbulent desegregation of the 1960s, Mary, as a member of the interfaith, interracial Panel of American Women, participated in more than 150 programs alternating as Catholic speaker and panel moderator. She was given the Ursula Laurus Award from the College of New Rochelle in recognition of distinguished community service. She was awarded the North Carolina Governor’s Award for Volunteer Achievement in 1996 for being instrumental in the St. Luke’s Auxiliary Nursing Scholarship Program.

In retirement, she was very involved with the St. John’s Parish Council, The Morgan Chapel Association and the Tryon Estates Residents Association.

A memorial service will be at the Tryon Estates Auditorium on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. A reception will follow in the private dining room at Tryon Estates.

Internment of her ashes will be at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain after a small ceremony at the chapel on Thursday, Dec. 3 at noon.

Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship Fund or the Tryon Estates Library fund.

An online guest register may be signed at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel
Tryon, N.C.