Sadie Margaret Szuch

Sadie Margaret Szuch (Hughes), affectionately known by some as Marge and others as Sadie, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 9, 2026 at her home in Lakeland, Florida under Hospice care.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Bill; brothers and sisters in law Hugh and Barbara, Roy and Luzetta, brother in law Warren Hofstra, husband of sister Mary; and in laws John and Leora Szuch.

She is survived by sister Mary and in laws Alex and Stella Szuch along with children/spouse Gordon/Jerolyn, Gary/Mary, and Nancy/Paul, four grandchildren, Brett/Chelsea, Erin, Eric, and Randy, and three great grandchildren Olivia, Norah, and Bennett. Marge was also an aunt to 11 nephews and nieces.

Marge was born prematurely on August 22, 1924 to Hugh and Emily Hughes (Peacock). She fit in a shoebox but grew strong as the oldest of four to help the family through the Great Depression. They lived on a small farm in Grand Blanc, Michigan and struggled to make ends meet with her Dad working at the auto plants when scarce jobs became available. Her Mom taught Marge the skills of homemaking and the love of family though Marge said she was very strict. Marge caught scarlet fever in her senior year in high school but still managed to graduate on time from Grand Blanc High in 1942. Marge wanted to join the WACs during WWII but her father didn't want her to so he joined the Merchant Marine telling Marge that one person from the family was enough for the war. She found a job at Buick in Flint as a secretary for a foundry supervisor and worked there before and after her marriage to Bill in 1948. She met Bill at a dance in suburban Flint and they never stopped dancing for the rest of their time together. They were also in a shooting club and built their first house together. When the first child came along in 1953, Marge became a full time homemaker, full of energy and love and pinching pennies everywhere to make ends meet on a single income. She was a skilled tailor making her boys' clothes and some of her own. She enjoyed and competed in flower arranging at the Flint IMA often bringing home blue and red ribbons. The kids always remembered the home cooked meals, especially on Sundays with grandparents, and the cookie jar that was never empty (yes we were pudgy). Mom turned her full attention to Nancy when the boys went off to college and got involved in Girl Scouting and the many activities they enjoyed. She was also a tremendous (and only) caregiver to her mother and aunt and uncle. As their retirement came into focus, Marge and Bill started traveling and then started spending winters in Florida. They sold the home in Flushing and made a summer home in Oscoda with the main residence eventually being in Lakeland and went to the many dances at the clubhouse. They easily made new friends in both places and those people continue to speak fondly of them.

The family will announce a memorial service, most likely when her ashes are interred with husband Bill at the Great Lakes National Cemetery. Donations to the Disabled American Veterans (dav.org) can be made in lieu of flowers. Thank you.