Joan A. (Gibson) Hughes

Joan Hughes lived her life in the very traditional ways many of us remember. Her home on Morrison Road in Watertown was always busy but meticulous. She stayed at home to raise her six children and enjoyed the constant busy pace of tending to all the kid's activities. She made certain that dinners were prepared, and grace was said at the table each night and on birthdays and other occasions she delighted in making the cakes as well as decorating them. Blessed with eleven grandchildren that she doted on, Joan always had a baby or young toddler in her care.

She loved her role as wife, mother, grandmother and friend and her home was the center of her world. She tended to all the needs both inside and out in the yard. Inside the house she would love to play her piano, enjoy a game of cards, cooking, crafting and reading. Outside afforded her time to work in her gardens or play with the kids in the pool. Joan and Paul enjoyed one another's company on many trips and excursions throughout New England.

Joan A. Gibson was born April 27, 1937, in Brighton, a daughter of the late Kenneth G. and Agnes E. 'Betty' (O'Donnell) Gibson. Raised in Waltham she graduated from St. Mary's High School and earned an Associate degree from Chandler Business School. She married Watertown native Paul R. Hughes on October 11,1958 at St. Mary's Church in Waltham. Residents of Watertown for over 50 years they moved to Sunrise Senior Living of Burlington as health warranted more care. Paul died November 12, 2019. They were married for sixty-one years.

Joan died Saturday, June 11, 2022, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was 85.

She leaves her children, Michael P. Hughes of Nashua, New Hampshire, Marianne E. Flynn (Stephen) of Canton, Nancy A. Moore (Thomas Struckman) of East Sandwich, Susan E. Smith, Sandra L. Shea (Michael), all of Billerica and Daniel C. Hughes (Tina) of Franklin, New Hampshire; her grandchildren, Ryan Hughes, Briana Papaleo (Daniel), Jack Flynn, Paul E. Hughes, Amy Banda (Joseph), Melanie and Robert Smith, Nicole, Makayla and Daniel Jr. Hughes and the late Christopher Hughes; her great-grandchildren, Dylan, Christopher Jr., Aubrianna and Ariella, and Marigold; brother of the late David Gibson ( Irene); also survived by nieces & nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Joan's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20) on Tuesday, June 14th from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at again at 11 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to The Church of Saint Luke, 133 Lexington Street, Belmont where her funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 Noon. Burial will follow in Ridgelawn Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy in Joan's name may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.