By 
THERE was one special and cherished moment in the closing weeks of 2025 that Loughmacrory woman Margaret Hughes never thought she would live to see.
On a memorable evening, her nephew John brought his five sons – all members of the St Teresa’s team that won the O’Neill Cup for the first time – to visit their aunt. It was a proud family occasion that all present would treasure.
Margaret passed away on Saturday, March 1, her 84th birthday.
Born on March 1, 1942 to Frank and Margaret Donaghy, she faced hardship at an early age when her mother died while she was just four. In the years that followed she lived with aunts and uncles in Drumnakilly and attended Drumduff Primary School before later returning to school in Loughmacrory.
After studying catering, Margaret spent time working in England and also helped in her brother’s shop in Loughmacrory.
Double celebration
She later met her husband Danny and their wedding in August 1969 became a memorable double celebration when Margaret’s sister Susan and Danny’s brother Patsy were married on the same day.
Margaret and Danny were among the first residents of Loughmacrory Park and raised their five children there. Her hospitality became legendary, with family recalling how she could cook three or four dinners a day and was renowned for her baking.
Following the death of her sister-in-law in the early 1980s, Margaret played a major role helping to care for nieces and nephews. Fr Peter McAnenly, who celebrated her Requiem Mass, said many of them regarded her as a ‘second mother’.
Devoted
Deeply devoted to her faith, Margaret made regular pilgrimages to Knock and Lough Derg and had a strong devotion to the Sacred Heart and Divine Mercy.
Her funeral Mass at St Mary’s Church in Loughmacrory was a fitting occasion to remember and give thanks for a life well-lived.
Margaret was the wife of the late Danny Hughes and is survived by her children Danny (Jane), Mairead (Pat O’Connell), Eamonn (Bernie), Aileen (Sean McCaughey) and Patrick (Edel).
