Marion L McHugh

The final chapter of a career, public-school librarian was written on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.

Marion Louise McHugh, (nee Overpeck) passed away peacefully at Fellowship Manor after spending the day with friends and family.

Marion was born in Allentown on Sept. 2, 1935, to Mary and Herbert Overpeck, who preceded her in death. Along with her parents, Marion was preceded in death by her infant brother John , husband Jack and dear friend David Black.

Marion dedicated three decades of her life to elementary and junior high school students in the Allentown School District where she served as a librarian, a fitting vocation for a person whose high school yearbook graduation picture was perched above the caption that read: "Thrives on reading books."

Marion was a 1953 graduate of Allentown High School and upon graduation attended Penn State University for her first three years of college then completed her final year of undergraduate studies at Cedar Crest College in Allentown from which she graduated with a business degree earning Magna CumLaude status in 1957.

Marion enjoyed 53 years of marriage to Allentown native John F. McHugh. They were married in 1956and raised two boys-Joseph born in 1958 and Michael who arrived in 1961. They were career ASD educators with Jack beginning his career in the elementary school classroom and later as a principal of the Horne, Livingston, Roosevelt, Wilson and his 1949 Alma Mater, William Allen High School. In retirement, he served as a Lehigh County commissioner for 19 years.

Marion was a librarian at several ASD schools including Stevens Elementary, Harrison-Morton Junior High School, Central's Sixth Grade Center and Raub Junior High School from where she retired.

The couple enjoyed traveling the world with friends and on National Education Association tours where Jack served as a guide. During their careers and in retirement, they enjoyed fellowship with other ASD teachers and dancing at local cotillions. Marion and Jack loved vacationing in Orlando's Disney World and decorated their home with many Disney-themed photos and memorabilia. They were proud of their son's educational accomplishments with Joe graduating from American University and Mike from Georgetown University. After the boys graduated and remained in Washington, D.C., Marion and Jack became frequent visitors to the Nation's Capital.

When Jack died in 2010, Marion remained stoic and strong but didn't stay a lonely widow for too long. In2012, a family friend who lost his wife-Eleanor in 2011--came knocking. Marion's "gentleman caller" as he referred to David Black, a 1951 AHS graduate and former resident of Allentown's West End, was a consummate gentleman who brought her into his family that was spread out in California, Texas, Illinois and Ohio. Though they continued to maintain their respective residences in Allentown and Emmaus, Marion and Dave spent quality time together traveling the United States or retreating to his Berk's County river house.

After Dave's sudden passing in 2024 and mom's progressive cognitive decline, the care for her was provided by her two sons, Joe's wife Meg and sister Grace. The family would like to thank Dennis and Nancy Blankowitsch, Lorraine Lewis and Jack's cousins and nieces for their continued support and friendship over many decades. The family is grateful for the care provided by the staff at Fellowship Manor in Whitehall, Pa, where Marion briefly resided and from where she passed from severe vascular dementia.

Survivors include her sons Joseph McHugh (Meg) of Washington, D.C., Michael McHugh (Kathy) of Swansboro, N.C., grandson Timothy McHugh (Carrie) of Raleigh, N.C., sister Grace Miley (William),niece Melinda Bowman (Walt), niece Laura Tinter (Steve) and nephew Michael Miley (Eileena) plus a total of seven grand nieces and nephews.

Marion will be interned next to her husband in Cedar Hill Cemetery's mausoleum. The family will hold a celebration of life at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Allentown School District Foundation atASDFoundation@allentownsd.org or by calling (484) 765-4121.