Pat Hughes

Pat was born May 5, 1936 in New York City and was the beloved daughter of John (NYC firefighter) and Mary Culley (dedicated homemaker). She was the second oldest of their six children - Anne, Pat, Joan, John, Kevin and Denise, whose youthful adventures growing up on Bailey Avenue in the Bronx and Lake Carmel became legendary tales that endure to this day. It is whispered that these escapades also played a hand in Pat and her sisters (Anne and Joanie) finding love and marrying handsome New York City police officers.

A proud New Yorker known for her beautiful blue eyes and warm Irish smile, Pat worked at Cartier as an Executive Secretary after high school until marrying Bill on May 16, 1959. They lived at 101-20 Flatlands Avenue in Brooklyn before moving in 1964 to 358 Maryland Avenue in Massapequa Park to raise their five children - Kathy, Maura, Alicia, Patti and Billy. Many Massapequa neighbors still remember the cinema-size poster with spot light announcing, "It's a BOY!" when Billy arrived in 1969. Pat and Bill were faithful parishioners for over 40 years of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church, as well as life-long friends with many of the other founding families of Massapequa Park (the Fennesseys, Cawleys, Tricaricos, Masseys, Bruus and Dreitleins).

A new chapter beckoned when Pat and Bill moved to Tiburon in 2012 to bask in the California sun and spend quality-time with their daughter, Maura, and grandsons, Johnny and William. Any thoughts of returning to New York were dismissed after Hurricane Sandy devastated Long Island in October. Despite the physical distance though, their hearts always remained connected to their cherished New York family, friends and memories.

Pat became an avid reader and spent most days on the patio enjoying the view/sunshine with a book in hand while listening to Johnny Mathis and Perry Como. She passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, less than 48 hours after blowing out the "88" candles on her birthday cake. She was radiant and her last words to Billy the night before were, "Good night, Billy. I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck." There was so much giggling and shenanigans that for the first time in 12 years, Maura had to go in at 11:00 PM Monday night and say, "light's out". (Diana was teaching Pat Spanish and Billy was laughing uncontrollably every time he heard, "Buenas noches, Maria".) Pat's final moments before entering eternal rest were filled with love and laughter. God's grace was truly present and not surprisingly, when Maura requested a priest for Last Rites, in walked, "Father Bill".

Pat was welcomed to Heaven's embrace by her parents (John/Mae Culley), husband of 55 years (Bill), daughter (Kathleen), sisters (Anne Reynolds/John) and (Joan O-Malley/Robby), brother (Kevin Culley/Lorraine), sisters/brothers-in-law (Eleanor Culley), (Eddie/Pat), (Jimmy), (Tommy/Debbie), (Margaret), (Mary Sheehan/John), niece (Therese), nephew (Tommy), and great nephews (Keith Hughes and Christopher Fedele).

She will be remembered by her children (Maura, Alicia, Patti/Tim and Billy), grandchildren (Maggie, Tyler, Johnny, and William), brother (John), sister (Denise/Wayne), sisters/brothers-in-law (Wilma, Rosie/Carl, Ellen/James, Patsy and John), as well as her many adored nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass to honor Pat's life will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024 (10:30 AM) at Saint Brigid's Catholic Church in Westbury, New York followed by a committal service at Holy Rood Catholic Cemetery and repast at Cena 081 Restaurant.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Therese M. Hughes Family Scholarship care of Molloy College (516.323.4703) in Rockville Centre, New York (www.molloy.edu).

Family and friends are invited to pay tribute to Pat's memory by sharing a story or photo on her online memorial at: www.forevermissed.com/pathughes