Joan Carter McHugh, 77, author and founder of Witness Ministries, passed away peacefully on Saturday, surrounded by her family. A longtime resident of Lake Forest, IL, Joan was born to J. Howard Carter and Sabina Borgia Carter in New York City, NY, on November 23rd, 1941. The youngest of two children, she graduated from the Convent of the Sacred Heart in 1959, and was recognized with their Outstanding Alumna Award. She graduated from Marymount College in 1963, and received their Alumnae Achievement Award.She earned her pilot's license at age 16, and after college she worked for Time, Inc. and NBC-TV in New York City. In 1983, Joan founded and edited Witness, a national Catholic quarterly magazine. In 1992, with her husband, Tom, she founded and directed Witness Ministries, a publishing apostolate devoted to the Eucharist. She is the author of seven books, including: Eucharist - God Among Us, My Daily Eucharist, and The Mass. Her books have been translated into several languages and continue to be published globally. Joan was a devoted parishioner at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Lake Forest, Illinois, serving as a Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Minister of Care and Catechist. A survivor of polio, scleroderma and multiple bouts of cancer, Joan believed in the power of the Eucharist to effect healing and was a much sought-after speaker. She produced and hosted a weekly radio show on WSFI 88.5FM Catholic Radio, entitled Healing the Whole Person, Body, Mind and Spirit. She was passionate about her faith, ministry and family. ?Joan was preceded in death last year by her husband of 51 years, Thomas J. McHugh. She will be lovingly remembered by her four children, Tom McHugh Jr. (Sinead) of Glenview, IL, Katie McHugh Ranke (Greg) of Hinsdale, IL, Dan McHugh (Pippa) of Snowmass Village, CO, Rich McHugh (Danie) of Rumson, NJ, and her thirteen grandchildren, Tommy, Ryan, Aidan, Eva, Gavin, Ellie, Erin, Oscar, Conrad, Izzy, Maddie, Lilly, and Jackie. She is survived by her brother Howard Carter. Visitation and funeral services will be Friday morning at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Lake Forest, Illinois. Visitation begins at 930am, and funeral services at 1130am.

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Mar. 6, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Joan McHugh

27 Entries

Kay Allen

March 14, 2021

Joanie, you are unforgettable. Please pray for us.

Diane Madison

November 16, 2020

I am reading one of her books and wish I would have met her!!

Mary Jane Hansen

October 24, 2020

Joan (Joanie) and I were childhood friends in Spring Lake NJ back in the 1940’s and early 1950’s. We lived around the corner from each other and played together all day long. About 12 years ago, Joan and Tom stopped by our house in Ohio on their way to Spring Lakr to spend the summer. We guessed it had been almost 50 years since we had seen each other. I’m so sorry to learn that she has passed. She was a delightful friend. A part of me is gone.

H.R. Pena

February 27, 2020

Joan, we miss you and will always remember you fondly. Thank you for being a part of our family. Alexandra, Philip, Isabel and HRP

Jack Pat Nesbitt

June 5, 2019

Just heard of Joan's passing today. We have been trying for many weeks to contact her for a get together. What a history we have with Joan, Tom and family. She was a neat lady, deeply spiritual and a really good friend. We will miss our interactions- even our political differences. We wish we had been notified just to be able to express our support to her family We will remember her with great affection in our prayers and want to let her kids know how much we will miss her. Sincerely. Pat and Jack Nesbitt

A wonderful fun filled week of golf in Bermuda with our dear friends Joan and Tommy.

Barbara Barrett

June 5, 2019

My sympathy and prayers to Joan's family. I just found out about Joan's passing. Living now on Hilton Head Island I would only see Joan on my visits with my son, brother and nephew all on the North Shore and would eagerly meet Joan to catch up. Joan was truly inspired and inspiring and I treasure every moment I had with her over the 50 years of our friendship. May God bless Joan's family and Katie, Tommy, Rich and Danny, please call me if you and your family ever vacation on HHI. 843-342-9244. love Barbara Barrett, 843-342-9244

Patricia Fitzgerald

June 4, 2019

I just heard of Joan's passing and am very, very saddened. We were business acquaintences over the years and I admired her always. My condolences to her family and all her many, many friends.

Elizabeth Stewart

March 23, 2019

Aunt Helen has welcomed Joan with open arms. Once again they can share their faith, their hope and joy and sorrows. My mom was Joan's confidant and is mentioned in her books. She was always very special to me in more ways than she knew. I last saw her when she spoke in W Va. You mother & father supported Bill (my husband) and I in the early years of our marriage. SHe and Tommy will always be close to my heart.

Fr. Giles Gilbert, OFM Conv.

March 8, 2019

With condolences and assurances of prayer for Joan and all her many family members and friends. May she rest in the loving embrace of God.

Chris Crotty

March 7, 2019

Eternal Memory!A true blessing to have been on Radio with Joan!Condolences for the family in this time of loss.In Christ GodFr. Christopher Crotty

Carter Eckert

Sent Flowers

March 7, 2019

We at Bethany House of Prayer will always remember Joan's burning fire of love for our GOD truly present in the Most Holy Eucharist.
May the GOD of LOVE greet Joan at the gates of Paradise and escort Joan to her husband and other family members already in Heaven and give her eternal peace and joy.

Bethany House of Prayer
By
Sara Connelly Zervos

C.Maura+James Scanlon

March 7, 2019

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS
OF JOAN C. McHUGH. JOAN'S LOVE OF THE EUCHARIST THAT SHE SHARED BY WRITING AND RADIO MADE HER A UNIQUE PENCIL IN GOD'S HAND.MAY YOUR MEMORIES COMFORT YOU AND THE LOVE OF JESUS AND MARY HELP YOU AT THIS TIME. C.Maura Poshka Scanlon and James Earl Scanlon -Scanlon Art

Fr Michael Sparough, SJ

March 7, 2019

It was my privilege to know and work with Joan at WSFI as part of the radio program on healing that she hosted. Her sincerity, love for the Lord and for her family and friends radiated through her warm and genuine smile. A woman of many gifts and talents, she was fully dedicated to spreading the gospel message of Jesus. We have another saint in heaven now praying for us here on earth!

Fr Michael Sparough, SJ

March 7, 2019

Joe Scheidler

March 7, 2019

Prayers for a joyful entrance into paradise from Joe & Ann Scheidler and the Pro-Life Action League staff.

Joseph Scheidler

March 7, 2019

Shirley Maclean

March 6, 2019

My thoughts and prayers are with all Joan's family. May God give you strength and peace.

H.R. Bert Pena

March 6, 2019

The McHugh family, your mother was a very special person and one of the most positive, kind, generous and special person that we so much enjoyed being with and having as our dear friend. of course, she will be sorely missed, and we know she is now in the grace of God. we pray for her and for you to be able to withstand the major loss.
HRP

March 6, 2019

My deepest condolences to Joan's family from one of her sincerest admirers. Although we were friends we were not often in touch but I knew her to be a genuine Woman of grace. She will be greatly missed by many.
Jean Synovic

Susan and Rich Bassett

March 6, 2019

We have many wonderful memories as neighbors in Deerfield.
Tthoughts and prayers go our to you all.
With sincere sympathy,
Susan and Rich Bassett

Fr. Robert McDermott

March 6, 2019

My sympathy and prayers. I knew Joan from our common Catholic interests.

Kay Allen

March 6, 2019

Through the St Padre Pio Facebook prayer group, I heard of Joan's passing. Not by accident I'm sure. So many wonderful memories of our faith journey together while living in Deerfield. Condolences to the family. God Bless you all - children and grandchildren of Tom and Joan have a rich grace-filled legacy of faith.

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