Obituary for Donelda "Donna" F. (Wright) Hughes
Donelda (Donna) F. Hughes, passed away on December 18, 2020. Donna was born on October 8, 1934, in Hillsdale County, Wright Township, Michigan to parents, Richard and Ruth (Westfall) Wright. She grew up on a farm in Munson, Michigan, while attending Munson School, grades 1-6, then Gorham-Fayette School in Fayette, Ohio, grades 7-12, graduating Class of 1952.
In Jr. and Sr. High School, she was very active in band, Y-Teens, 4-H, and FHA, being the first one in school to receive her “State Homemaker’s Degree.” Donna also helped as an elementary school aide. Following high school, she attended and graduated from Cleary University with a Medical Secretary Degree.
Donna’s work career started at Beyer Hospital in Ypsilanti in medical records, then briefly at CPHA, a medical audit group, then to the University of Michigan, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, where she worked in various areas for the next 21 years, full and part-time. Later, she served as a Staffing Coordinator for Medical Personnel Pool, leaving to work the next 12 years for Donald Riker, MD until his retirement.
On November 2, 1962, she married the love of her life, Arthur Hughes. Together, they raised their two sons, Richard and David.
Donna was always active in her Church, as a young person in youth group and a Sunday School teacher at Fayette UMC. Later, she taught Sunday School at FUMC, then as a Member of Calvary UMA, serving as Treasurer, Chair of Administration, as well as serving on Committees. Donna was a 4-H leader for many years. She also served on school PTA, Cub Scouts, Board of Directors for Ann Arbor Junior Football, and was also a Charter Member of the Ann Arbor Police Wives Association.
A large part of her activities were with fraternal organizations. Donna joined the Order of the Eastern Star in 1968 in Dexter, Michigan, to continue with Ann Arbor #122, which merged with Ypsilanti #199. She held many positions over the years, including Worthy Matron, County President, Grand Representative, Grand Committee, Grand Officer, Honored Life Member of the Grand Chapter of Michigan, Life Member of her Chapter, and Secretary Emeritus. Donna was a member of the Michigander Club, and PAGO Club, a member of 7 Grand Families. She served as elected or appointed officer in many of these clubs. Donna was also a member of the Zal Gaz Caldron- Daughters of Mokanna, where she served as MCO, and currently was a member of the Supreme Caldron. Donna was the past president of the Ann Arbor Commandery Auxiliary and also served on the Ann Arbor Masonic Temple Corporation for several years.
Donna is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Ruth; husband, Art; sons, Richard and David; sister, Betty Johnson; and brother-in-law, Raymond.
She is survived by nephews, Robert (Glenda) Johnson of Indiana, Thomas (Gloria) Hughes of Milford, Charles Hughes of Dexter; nieces, Jaunda Jo Johnson Walker of Georgia, Christine Hughes Teska of Ann Arbor; several great-nieces and nephews, as well as a great-great-nephew and niece. Donna will also be remembered by very special friends, The Paison family of Ohio, and Mary and Joe Gordon of Ypsilanti.
Due to COVID-19, a private burial at Washtenong Cemetery will take place. Once it is safe to gather, a Celebration of Life event will be held in the future.
Donation in memory of Donna can be made to Safe House, or Ypsilanti Chapter #119 OES.
In Jr. and Sr. High School, she was very active in band, Y-Teens, 4-H, and FHA, being the first one in school to receive her “State Homemaker’s Degree.” Donna also helped as an elementary school aide. Following high school, she attended and graduated from Cleary University with a Medical Secretary Degree.
Donna’s work career started at Beyer Hospital in Ypsilanti in medical records, then briefly at CPHA, a medical audit group, then to the University of Michigan, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, where she worked in various areas for the next 21 years, full and part-time. Later, she served as a Staffing Coordinator for Medical Personnel Pool, leaving to work the next 12 years for Donald Riker, MD until his retirement.
On November 2, 1962, she married the love of her life, Arthur Hughes. Together, they raised their two sons, Richard and David.
Donna was always active in her Church, as a young person in youth group and a Sunday School teacher at Fayette UMC. Later, she taught Sunday School at FUMC, then as a Member of Calvary UMA, serving as Treasurer, Chair of Administration, as well as serving on Committees. Donna was a 4-H leader for many years. She also served on school PTA, Cub Scouts, Board of Directors for Ann Arbor Junior Football, and was also a Charter Member of the Ann Arbor Police Wives Association.
A large part of her activities were with fraternal organizations. Donna joined the Order of the Eastern Star in 1968 in Dexter, Michigan, to continue with Ann Arbor #122, which merged with Ypsilanti #199. She held many positions over the years, including Worthy Matron, County President, Grand Representative, Grand Committee, Grand Officer, Honored Life Member of the Grand Chapter of Michigan, Life Member of her Chapter, and Secretary Emeritus. Donna was a member of the Michigander Club, and PAGO Club, a member of 7 Grand Families. She served as elected or appointed officer in many of these clubs. Donna was also a member of the Zal Gaz Caldron- Daughters of Mokanna, where she served as MCO, and currently was a member of the Supreme Caldron. Donna was the past president of the Ann Arbor Commandery Auxiliary and also served on the Ann Arbor Masonic Temple Corporation for several years.
Donna is preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Ruth; husband, Art; sons, Richard and David; sister, Betty Johnson; and brother-in-law, Raymond.
She is survived by nephews, Robert (Glenda) Johnson of Indiana, Thomas (Gloria) Hughes of Milford, Charles Hughes of Dexter; nieces, Jaunda Jo Johnson Walker of Georgia, Christine Hughes Teska of Ann Arbor; several great-nieces and nephews, as well as a great-great-nephew and niece. Donna will also be remembered by very special friends, The Paison family of Ohio, and Mary and Joe Gordon of Ypsilanti.
Due to COVID-19, a private burial at Washtenong Cemetery will take place. Once it is safe to gather, a Celebration of Life event will be held in the future.
Donation in memory of Donna can be made to Safe House, or Ypsilanti Chapter #119 OES.