Patricia Ann Hughes

Patricia Ann Hughes (O’Connell) was born in Washington D.C. on September 1, 1937 to

John Joseph and Mary Elizabeth O’Connell. Pat spent her early years living in Silver

Hill, Md. while her father was in WW2 and then Suitland, Md. She attended St. Francis

Xavier Catholic School in Washington D.C. 1st-8 th grades. Pat received a full 4-year

scholarship to attend Notre Dame Academy in D.C. for her high school years. She

moved with her mother and sister to Hyattsville, Md. when she was in the 10 th grade and

her mom decided that she should attend Northwestern High School where she

graduated in 1955. After graduation, Patricia worked in D.C. for the International

Baker’s Union as a secretary. She worked for them until she stopped working in 1965

to care for her growing family. In 1954 Patricia met Charles Hughes at a Branchville

V.F.C. Saturday night dance. They dated for 3 years getting married on October 19,

1957 at St. John Baptist de La Salle in Chillum, Md. Their marriage produced five

children Michael, Kathleen, John, Mary and Colleen. In the meantime, Pat had joined

the Branchville Ladies Auxiliary working bingos and many other fundraisers. She was

on the county championship bowling team in 1966 and was in charge of hall rental for

numerous years. Pat and Charley had moved their family into the house next door to

Branchville V.F.C. and she was always lending a helping hand. Pat became very active

in the College Park Boys and Girls Clubs helping out in various duties, and receiving

numerous certificates of outstanding achievement. You could always find her at Duval

field keeping score, running the stand or in a school gym in P.G. County at a basketball

game. Pat’s faith always was constant in her life. She joined Holy Redeemer Parish in

1967 and has been an active parishioner. She loved doing crafts every Thursday

morning and getting to sell them at the church bazaar every year. She was active on

the Bereavement committee and always would lend a helping hand in the church office

if needed. We cannot forget another joy in her life, which was working the games at the

University of Maryland. She so enjoyed the football and basketball games! That was a

social event for her, getting to meet coaches and staff but most importantly getting to

see so many old College Park friends at all of the games!! She would always tell her

family about who she saw and talked to!! Pat lived a very active life with friends and

family. Her faith was a constant source of peace. She will be missed.