Lois Regina (Ashton) Hughes, a Helena native and long-time resident, died December 26, 2017 at the age of 92.
She was born in Helena on February 18, 1925 to William and Ottilia Ashton joining an older sister Margaret Alice. Lois resided in Helena throughout her childhood and graduated from Helena High School in 1942. Following high school, Lois attended the University of Montana for two years where she met her future husband and life partner, Michael J. (Mack) Hughes. Mack enlisted in the Army while at the University of Montana and departed for basic training in 1943. Lois married Mack in November of 1944 while he was stationed at Camp Rucker, Alabama. Witnesses of the wedding included the officers and enlisted men of Mack’s military company. During the war, Lois worked for the Office of Price Administration in Helena as a fiscal clerk. Following Mack’s military service, the couple returned to the University of Montana where Mack completed his law degree and the couple started their family.
Following Mack’s graduation, the couple lived for two years in San Francisco, CA while Mack was a law clerk and then returned to Helena in 1951. Mack joined the law firm of Toomey and Hughes and following the death of Edmond Toomey, Mack headed his own law firm. Lois assisted the growing law firm as the firm’s bookkeeper for 17 years from 1964 to 1981.
As a couple, Lois and Mack created a loving home on Stuart Street in Helena where they raised five children. For Lois, family was the center of her life. She was a nurturing and loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. She created a home full of love and was the emotional touchstone for her entire family providing guidance, direction and always love and support. She nursed and cared for the ill, provided a shoulder to cry on, a friend and mentor to laugh and share with, and always was the lead cheerleader for all life’s challenges.
Lois was a community volunteer throughout her life. She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority in college and in Helena served on the Hawthorne Elementary School PTA, the St. John’s Hospital Guild, and the House of the Good Shepard, including serving as president of all three organizations. She also volunteered with the BSA Cub Scouts where she served as den leader. In her retirement years, Lois volunteered for 15 years at St. Peters Hospital and the Montana Historical Society.
Socially, Lois and Mack were founding members of the Green Meadow Country Club. Lois and Mack enjoyed golfing throughout their adult years and Lois played regularly into her 80’s. Lois also enjoyed bowling and bridge and the lifelong friendships these activities created. Lois and Mack were also long-term members of the Montana Club. In recent years, Lois was a member of The Westerners, where she served as treasurer.
Lois was a devout member of the Catholic faith and she and Mack were parishioners of the St. Helena Cathedral throughout their lives.
After a marriage of 55 years together, Mack Hughes passed away in 1999. Lois is also preceded in death by her parents, William and Ottilia Ashton, her sister Margaret-Alice Verzuh, her daughter Margaret Ann (Peggy) Pepper, and her daughter-in-law Gerry Mason Hughes. Survivors include four children including Michele and Gary Carpenter of Denver, CO, Gregory Hughes of Helena, William and Ruth Hughes of Butte, and Thomas and Barbara Hughes of Rockville, MD. Survivors also include nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren including Brian Pepper of Bozeman, MT, Jennifer and Jim Brandt (Owen and Neil) of Frisco, TX, Zachary and Susan Carpenter (Keira, Kylie and Kate) of Denver, CO, Matthew and Mariah (Ryan and Makayla) Hughes of Helena, Megan and Josh Simmons (Jackson) of Zillah, WA, Ashley and Cory Lovec (Brantley) of Billings, MT, and Michael, Casey and Thomas Hughes of Rockville, MD. Lois is also survived by a large extended family that she always held close to her thoughts and prayers.
The family would like to thank all of those who assisted in the care of Lois during her recent illness including Dr. Thomas Weiner and the nurses of the St. Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center and St. Peter’s Hospice.
Friends may pay their respects on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. A vigil service will be held at 6:00 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 North Montana Avenue. The funeral Mass will be 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at the Cathedral of St. Helena followed by a luncheon reception at the Church Social Center. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery.
If you wish to send a memorial, the family requests memorials be made to: The Guatemalan Mission of the Catholic Diocese of Helena, Montana Historical Society, or the St. Peter’s Hospital Cancer Treatment Center.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Lois.
Service Schedule
Viewing
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 2, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 2, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday January 3, 2018
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the Mass
Wednesday January 3, 2018
Brondel Center of the Cathedral
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
After the reception
Wednesday January 3, 2018
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Viewing
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 2, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Tuesday January 2, 2018
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday January 3, 2018
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the Mass
Wednesday January 3, 2018
Brondel Center of the Cathedral
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Rite of Committal
After the reception
Wednesday January 3, 2018
Resurrection Cemetery
Helena, Montana 59602
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Kathy Stelling says
I worked for Mack for 16 years and have enjoyed lunches with Lois every summer and Christmas. She was my role model and hero. Such a wonderful lady. She will be missed.
Kip Kramer says
From Lynn Kramer’s family, we offer our condolences and join Lois’s family’s celebration of a life well lived. We didn’t realize that Lois was married at age 19, but she seemed like she was 19 throughout her life. She had a glint in her eye and a sense of humor that was second to none. When she let me tour her gorgeous apartment in Touchmark a couple years ago, she said, “yeah, this is where I watch the ambulances roll in”, and then she laughed and punched my shoulder. Our Mom lived next door and Lois was a great friend and help to her, as she was to so many throughout her life.
Great work, Lois. You’ll be a fun, positive and forceful addition to wherever this next step takes you.
Tom Naegele says
Entire Hughes Family,
Prayers of Support for you all as you morn the passing of your Mom. I trust the Celebration of Her Life will be a warming part of everyday in the future. I grew up in the upper westside Stuart Street neighborhood near the Hughes Family along with 30+ other kids. I recall 1 occasion, while playing with Greg and others, when Lois called out from her porch for all the kids to come and share Koolaid and fresh baked cookies on a summer day. About 10 or 15 of us yay-whos celebrated the treat. Thanks Lois for being 1 of my guiding Mom’s. God has given us a wonderful Blessing.
Peter Johnson says
1108 Adobe Drive
Peter Johnson says
Lois Hughes was a great family friend, always lively and interested in her friends’ children. The Hughes and Johnson families got together each year on Christmas Day to share treats, play each others’ board games and listen to the latest Smothers Brothers (or yes Bill Cosby) records and laugh with glee. Summer picnics at the Rimini cabin were also a blast. She was a great friend and help to my mother Rudy while they stayed at Touchstone. We will never forget her warmth and hearty laugh.
Karen (Shepherd) Chessen says
Lois was a wonderful friend – to my parents, and later, to me as well. She was warm, funny and supportive, and I appreciated her straightforward, practical approach to life and its challenges. She’ll always have a special place in my heart.
JR says
We would like to express our deepest condolences to your family. God promises at John 5:28,29 that we can see our loved ones again. May the God of all comfort be with your family during your time of need. 2 Cor 1:3,4
Sharon Thrailkill Sargeson says
Mrs. Hughes was a very thoughtful person. I always enjoyed talking with her when I would visit her home to see her daughter Peggy. Helena has lost a true citizen but Heaven has gained a great Angel.
Lois Hermansen says
I knew Lois for only a short two plus years here at Touchmark but it was long enough to recognize her as a warm, friendly woman who was generous and caring. She will be greatly missed.
Sally Johnson says
A wonderful, warm and caring wife. mother, grandmother and friend. A classy lady who loved to laugh. I wonder how we’ll get everything done without her. Godspeed, dear Lois.
Susan Hart says
Greg and family, we are so sorry for the loss of your Mother.
Susan Hall Hart and Denis Hart
Linda May Hall says
To the entire Hughes family. You have painted the most eloquent memories of your mother, grandmother and great grandmother. My sincerest condolences. God bless each one of you.
Drew Livesay says
My late wife Shirley and I were fortunate to have Lois as our next door neighbor on Quarry Lane. As time passed, she also became a great friend. She was a wonderfully entertaining conversationalist, told great Helena stories, knew everyone and always looked like a million dollars. Thank you Lois, for brightening our lives. Drew Livesay
Jennifer Poole says
Dear Hughes Family,
I am deaply saddened by this news. Lois was an amazing lady that I will always hold dear in my heart. May the lord surround you with peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Sincerest Condolences,
Jen Poole
Alli says
Lois was such a wonderful friend to my grandmother, Rudy Johnson and our family. The world will miss her kind heart.
Tim Crennen says
I was fortunate enough to marry Lois’s niece. This good fortune allowed me to get to know her as the kind, loving, fun, and classy lady she was. A true joy to be around. She will be missed by so many. My heartfelt condolences to all of her family.
Mary Kay Bennett says
Oh my!
One of the greats..we still have Christmas ornaments she gave us..& beautiful pottery gifts still adorn our shelves that were given for anniversary gifts.
Your mom & dad introduced George & me to their social circle & always included us.
She kept the books for the law firm & as far as I’m concerned she could have been the comptroller of General Motors..a Saint with her patience & time.
She & Mac were godparents for my son, Harry.
Smart, witty, straightforward, spiritual & loving.
I will miss her forever.
George T. Bennett says
Lois and I started together right after Mr. Toomey died and in the Toomey building.
Lois was a wonderful person, genuinely kind with tender sensibilities.
Her tolerance with me & my neglect of time records is something I regret but her tolerance taught about her.
I loved her and will miss her.
So sorry to miss the celebration of her life but we’re in Arizona for the winter.