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Joan Hughes Obituary
Dr. Joan M. Hughes, 59, died Sunday, October 14 at her home in Port Jefferson, NY with her husband at her side.
She leaves behind her loving husband Dr. Jonathan T. Hughes. Also surviving are sisters Judith M. Mason and Janet R. Mottola of Bluffton, SC and Elizabeth Banks of Tampa FL; sister-in-law Randon Lee Hughes (Luetgens) of Vista, CA and Janet Hughes (James Maloney) of Mattituck, NY. Joan was the Aunt to several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Muriel Cormack Mottola; her sister Carolyn Meeker and her brother Joseph A. Mottola, Jr.
Born in Mount Vernon, NY and raised in Pembroke, MA, Joan graduated from Silver Lake Regional High School in Kingston, MA. She was elected to “Girls State” Hall of Fame and she played field hockey and tennis. Joan went to Gordon College in Wenham, MA where she majored in British Literature. At the age of 19, she spent a summer as a missionary at an orphanage in Haiti. She graduated from Gordon College in 1974 and became an English teacher at Georgetown Middle School in Georgetown, MA where she taught for 12 years and became active in the local teacher's union. She earned her Masters Degree in Education at Lesley College and, in 1979, she completed her degree in Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining at Harvard University.
In 1985, the CEA hired Joan as a Uniserve representative for the Connecticut Education Association, negotiating contracts and standing up for teachers rights in several Western, CT school districts. In 2002, Joan earned her Ed.D doctoral degree in Educational Administration at Teachers College, Columbia University.
An avid animal lover, Joan leaves behind her rescued pet dog Willy Nelson Hughes and her pet cats Smokey Robinson Hughes and Buddy Holly Hughes.
A Visitation and service for Joan will be held on Friday, October 19 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at The Bryant Funeral Home in East Setauket, NY.
Gifts and donations may be made in Joan's memory to Save-A-Pet, 608 Rt. 112, Port Jefferson, NY 11776 or The Hughes-Mottola Doctoral Scholarship Program at St. John's University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Joan Hughes
D. Patrick Colburn
January 4, 2013
Jon, Sorry for the late condolences, no excuse. Can only echo all the others. Always knew she was in our corner. Even in retirement, I cherished her counsel Pat
Bill Brower
December 23, 2012
I worked for many years with Joan as an officer and as a building rep of the CEA in Ridgefield. Joan was honest, fair, bright and knowledgeable. She was respected and admired by both teachers and administrators. Through her efforts, she made teaching a better profession. I am very sorry for you loss.
Sally Anyan
December 23, 2012
Our thoughts now turn to those
who once shared with us
the joys and burdens of life,
but who are no longer in our midst.
Our sorrow is to have lost them;
our privilege to have known them;
our responsibility to build on their achievements.
In loving tribute,
we dedicate ourselves to the task
which unites the generations,
working to create a better world.
From a retired Ridgefield CT teacher
November 13, 2012
Dr. Hughes
Bruce and I are so sad to hear of Joan's passing. She was a beautiful person and great professor. We have been thinking of you often during this very tough time.
Susan and Bruce MacDonald
CLAYTON REID
October 21, 2012
JOHN.... I WAS SO SADENED TO HEAR OF JOANS PASSING, AND WAS IN TOTAL SCHOCK,,,,I HAVE KNOW JOAN FOR MANY YEARS, WHEN SHE CAME TO CT, AND I HAVE FOR MANY YEARS WAS TAKING CARE OF JOANS HAIR, I HAVE ALWAYS AND WILL MISS OUR GREAT CONVERSATIONS,,,,, WITH MY DEEPEST SYMPATHANY
October 20, 2012
She was a beautiful person, inside and out. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. -Margaret McGlynn
October 20, 2012
She was a truly great professor and a great person.
So sorry for your loss Dr. Hughes.
~dann leccese
Myrka Gonzalez
October 20, 2012
John:
Both David & I where shocked to read of Joan's passing. She was a dynamic woman and you were very lucky to have shared many wonderful years together. Our sympathies, love & prayers.
Bruce LeVine Mellion
October 19, 2012
As President of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers AFT Local 1723 I had the pleasure and honor of working with Joan for many years. Even though we were in different organizations she was always most generious with her time and knowledge and her work products were excellent. I was working with her most directly over the past few months when she told me the news. I was shocked to hear of her passing during our Arbitration hearing this past Sunday. We will miss her for all that she was to so many in the Education field. You do not replace a Joan Hughes.
October 18, 2012
Dear Jon...I am so very sorry and shocked to hear of Joan's passing. She was an incredible resourcebto our teacher's association in Ridgefield, CT. I was honored to have served on three negotiating committees with her. She had an incredibly intelligent mind and always a professional decorum. I am just devastated for you and your family. Carol Snyder
Louise Despres
October 18, 2012
I am very sorry for your loss. I was shocked because I thought that she was in good health. She was very helpful to many teachers, including myself. She will be missed.-Louise Despres, former New Canaan teacher
Linda Fein
October 18, 2012
This is such a great loss to her family & the teachers she has helped over the years. I hate to think of what Weston would have been like without her. Her kindness, brains & sense of humor were unparalleled.
October 18, 2012
John,
I am so sorry to hear of Joan's passing at such a young age! She was invaluable to us in New Canaan when I worked there. She was never too busy to help; her advice was always solid!
With my deepest sympathy,
Marion Berry
Harry Einbinder
October 17, 2012
Jon
Our sympathy & prayers go out to you, I'm truly at a loss for words.
Harry Einbinder St James NC
Gail Borruso
October 17, 2012
Our deepest sympathies to jon and to all of the family. I just read about her passing in the island packet in hilton head. So sorry
October 17, 2012
I always enjoyed our talks when Joan would come to Greenwich. Saying what a wonderful person she was is an understatement. She will certainly be missed. Gerry Thompson
Bob Lichtenfeld
October 17, 2012
Joan's passing is both a tremendous personal and professional loss to those of us who worked with her and loved her. She has been extraordinarily professional and intelligent - and has always had the best interests of her members, the profession, and the children in mind in looking at any issue. In addition, she always looked at issues with a great sense of humor.
In the 18 months that I worked with her, I thought of her not only as a colleague, but as a friend.
Although not an employee, I think the Greenwich Public Schools has lost a major force for professionalism and improvement.
Our deepest sympathy goes to her family and friends.
October 17, 2012
CT teachers will miss Joan's guidance and compassion. We are so sorry for your loss.
A. Poulos,
Stamford, CT
Gayle Judson
October 16, 2012
A wonderful woman and a consummate professional. She will be sorely missed.
October 16, 2012
Joan was a friend to many, and she will be dearly missed. I hope and pray you are comforted by many wonderful memories. Laura, former New Canaan teacher
William and Gail Hamilton
October 16, 2012
We are so very sorry. We can't be there with you as we are in South Carolina at this time.
Frank DeRosa
October 16, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss uncle John. I will always remember Joan for being so nice, always happy and laughing.
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
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