Mary L. Hughes
Mary Louise Hughes (née Smith) passed away peacefully on Friday, March 20, 2026. Born in Waterloo, Québec, on April 14, 1931, Mary was the daughter of Maurice Smith and Lois Smith (née Weir). She was predeceased by her sister, Judy Goodin (née Smith), in 2011.
Mary graduated from the nursing program at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montréal in 1954 before moving to Toronto with her dear friend Joan Kutis to work at SickKids Hospital. Their friendship remained strong until her final days. That same summer, Mary met Donald James Hughes, the love of her life, on the tennis court. They married in 1957 in Toronto and, in 1960, moved to Campbellford, where Don began his dental practice. It was there that they grew their family and Don’s practice, welcoming their three children, Sam (Suzette), Jenny (Mike), and Daunt (Sabrina). The family later settled in Hamilton before eventually making their home in Dundas, where Mary especially cherished the small-town feel.
For over 50 years, Mary was an active and devoted member of Christ’s Church Cathedral, where she was especially known for her contributions to bake sales and the altar guild. Mary was a skilled bridge player, an avid golfer, and, above all, a dedicated and loving grandmother to her Dundas family, Catherine (Wes), Émilie (Andrew), and their mother, Michelle; her Hamilton family, Christian and Roberta; and her California family, Rosie (Dane), Hunter, and Katie.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at the Court at Rushdale, The Nottingham and to her family physician of over 40 years, Dr. Williams, for their compassionate care.
A visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:30 a.m., both at Christ’s Church Cathedral, on Friday, March 27, 2026. Address: 252 James Street North, Hamilton, Ontario.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Hamilton Burlington SPCA in honour of Mary’s lifelong love for animals.
She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.
Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
A tree will be planted in memory of Mary L. Hughes in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.