Gretchen Hughes

Gretchen G. Hughes

Greece - At age 78 of the Town of Greece, surrounded by family, Gretchen went to paradise on September 19, 2018 at Unity Hospital.

Gretchen was born in Huntington, Indiana on February 17, 1940 to the late Reverend Ralph A. Gallagher and the late Fern M. Gallagher. She was raised between Indiana and Ohio, but considered herself an Ohio girl.

Gretchen graduated from Fort Wayne Bible College in 1961 with a dual degree Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. She received a Master of Arts from Ball State University in 1965. She completed the course-work for a Doctor in Education at the University of Rochester. A life-long learner, Gretchen maintained an eclectic home library.

Gretchen was an educator, a person who saw and drew out the potential in every person. She met her husband, Floyd R. Hughes while they were the sole "single" music teachers in Adams County, Indiana. At Hilton Central School District, her career blossomed first teaching English and Social Studies, followed by her appointment as Hilton High School's first female Vice Principal in 1979.

Gretchen was a builder, who sought consensus in an understated manner. In Hilton she served as President of both the Teacher's Union and the Administrators Association. She was one of the founders and served as the first President of the credit union serving the district. After retirement, mom served with like-minded servants of Christ at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where she had been a member for over 45 years. Her Aldersgate extended-family shared with her on many wonderful projects, including the physical and Christ-filled spiritual expansion of the Church itself.

Gretchen is survived by her husband of 54 years Floyd "Herk" Hughes, whom she married on May 29, 1964; one son, Cary (Jennifer) Hughes, two grandchildren David Hughes and Catherine Hughes; a brother, Gene (Judy) Gallagher; an Aunt, Irene (Beieler) Wepler; sisters-in law Joyce Hughes, Sally Hughes, and Janice Jankovits; along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and very dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved sister Marlene Gallagher; her brothers-in-law Donald Hughes, Lawrence Hughes, and Charles Jankovits; and her sister-in-law Anne Gallagher.

Family and friends may call from 4-7pm on Friday, September 28th at Farrell-Ryan Funeral Home, 777 Long Pond Road, Rochester, NY 14612.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 29th at 11am at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 4115 Dewey Avenue, Rochester, NY 14616. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery, 2650 Lake Avenue, Rochester, NY 14612. A reception will follow at 1:30pm at Aldersgate for fellowship and reminiscence. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Aldersgate United Methodist Church (Building Fund). For more information or to sign the online guest registry please visit Farrell-Ryan.com or call 585-225-0248.