Irene Marie HUGHES

With extreme sadness we would like to announce the passing of our mother Irene Hughes. She passed away peacefully at her home at Preston Park II on December 13, 2022. Irene Marie Hughes was born on August 9, 1929 to Leo and Hedwig (Hattie) Speltz in Eston Saskatchewan. Irene was the second eldest of 5 children. She grew up on a farm 6 miles north of Eston in a 2-bedroom house. Irene was her Dad’s right hand man helping with the farm chores. She attended Evans School from Grade 1-8, then took her Grade 9-10 in Eston, before finishing Grade 11-12 at St Joseph Convent in Rosetown, graduating in June of 1947. On November 11, 1947 well attending a community outing, her dad Leo suffered a fatal heart attack, leaving her mother Hattie, brother Ron and Irene to continue running the farm. After graduation Mom stayed on the farm to help her brother Ron. With the family contemplating a move back to Minnesota. Irene decided to get a head start and moved to Minnesota where she went to school and earned her Medical Records Degree in Rochester. She then went on to work at the Mayo Clinic. After a few years Mom’s family decided to stay in Canada. Mom decided to move back to Eston, where she met and married Jack (John) Hughes in 1954. They had 4 children David (who died shortly after birth), Kevin and family Brett and Deanna, Don (Kathy) and family Rachelle, Anne, Jayden, David and Mary, Nancy Arnold (Je‑) and family Mackenzie (Dawson) and Logan. Mom deeply loved her children and the light of her life were her 8 grandchildren. Mom enjoyed travelling, golf, playing cards and gardening. Irene enjoyed watching sports particularly the Roughriders, Blue Jays and curling. Mom was involved in her community. She was President of the local chapter of the CWL and also President of the Eston Jubilee Lodge and Wellness Center. Irene worked at the Eston Union Hospital until retirement. She is predeceased by her parents Leo and Hattie Speltz, husband Jack, son David, granddaughter Mary, sisters Kay, Helen and Clara and brother Ron. Brothers-in-law Bill, Tom, Dick and sisters-in-law Jean and Betty. Surviving brother-in-law Richard. Donations in memory of Irene may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation and Eston Caring Hands, PO Box 804, Eston, SK, S0L 1A0. A Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life will be celebrated on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at 11:00 am with Father Mike Dechant at Saint Phillip Neri Parish – 1902 Munro Avenue South, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.