Obituary for Lucille "Lu" Loretta Hughes
Lucille “Lu” Loretta Hughes of Boscawen, NH died peacefully on April 29, 2022 at Merrimack County Nursing Home at the age of 93. Born on August 3, 1928 in Pittsfield, Mass., she was the daughter of Loretta and Charles Hughes.
Lu was a supremely gifted musician. After graduating from Pittsfield High School, she went to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston where she studied cello, piano and organ. She earned a bachelor of music education degree there, and was a member of the Delta Omicron Sorority, the Newman Club, the student council and newspaper.
Before returning to the Berkshires, she taught on Deer Isle, Maine, and was organist and choir director at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea in Stonington, Maine. Lu then served as a part-time organist at St. Anne’s Church in Lenox and choir director at St. Joseph’s Church. She taught music and conducted the orchestra at South Junior High for fifteen years.
Lu served forty-five years at Sacred Heart Church in Pittsfield as organist and choir director, retiring in 2000. She also was a member of the Rosary Sodality and Liturgy Committee, and served for two years on the Springfield Diocesan Liturgy Commission.
After her retirement, she moved to Rhode Island with her sister to be near her nephew and great-nieces. She then went north with them to Loudon, NH in 2014. Later, she lived at Gerrish Manor Assisted Living in Boscawen.
Lu had a passion for her family, especially her great-nieces. A “professional” shopper, she loved a day out shopping followed by a good restaurant meal, especially lobster rolls. And of course, we must mention her beloved Red Sox.
Holidays were always a highlight for Lu, especially Christmas. She would decorate her house to the max, and was famous for her Christmas fudge and fancy wrapping of presents. Christmas services at Sacred Heart under Lu’s direction were always a hit, especially midnight mass.
Lu was predeceased by her parents and sister, Dorothy McKay. She is survived by her nephew Jim McKay and his wife Diane of Canterbury, NH, her niece Mary Reynolds of New Port Richey, FL, her great-nieces Jessica Rodman and her husband Evan of Woonsocket, RI, and Katheen McKay of Canterbury.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held, SATURDAY, May 7, 2022 at 9 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, celebrated by Rev. Steven Montesanti, Pastor. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her name to Sacred Heart Church in care of DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Lu was a supremely gifted musician. After graduating from Pittsfield High School, she went to the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston where she studied cello, piano and organ. She earned a bachelor of music education degree there, and was a member of the Delta Omicron Sorority, the Newman Club, the student council and newspaper.
Before returning to the Berkshires, she taught on Deer Isle, Maine, and was organist and choir director at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea in Stonington, Maine. Lu then served as a part-time organist at St. Anne’s Church in Lenox and choir director at St. Joseph’s Church. She taught music and conducted the orchestra at South Junior High for fifteen years.
Lu served forty-five years at Sacred Heart Church in Pittsfield as organist and choir director, retiring in 2000. She also was a member of the Rosary Sodality and Liturgy Committee, and served for two years on the Springfield Diocesan Liturgy Commission.
After her retirement, she moved to Rhode Island with her sister to be near her nephew and great-nieces. She then went north with them to Loudon, NH in 2014. Later, she lived at Gerrish Manor Assisted Living in Boscawen.
Lu had a passion for her family, especially her great-nieces. A “professional” shopper, she loved a day out shopping followed by a good restaurant meal, especially lobster rolls. And of course, we must mention her beloved Red Sox.
Holidays were always a highlight for Lu, especially Christmas. She would decorate her house to the max, and was famous for her Christmas fudge and fancy wrapping of presents. Christmas services at Sacred Heart under Lu’s direction were always a hit, especially midnight mass.
Lu was predeceased by her parents and sister, Dorothy McKay. She is survived by her nephew Jim McKay and his wife Diane of Canterbury, NH, her niece Mary Reynolds of New Port Richey, FL, her great-nieces Jessica Rodman and her husband Evan of Woonsocket, RI, and Katheen McKay of Canterbury.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held, SATURDAY, May 7, 2022 at 9 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, celebrated by Rev. Steven Montesanti, Pastor. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her name to Sacred Heart Church in care of DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford St, Pittsfield, MA 01201.