Rosilda Cecile "Rose" Hughes

Rosilda Cecile (“Rose”) Hughes, 95 of Bala Cynwyd, PA died November 15, 2024. Rose was born on May 10, 1929 in Fayston, Vermont and lived most of her life between Leicester and Worcester, Massachusetts. After graduating from Holy Name High School, she worked at the Worcester County Registry of Deeds, where she was introduced to her husband, the late Walter J. Hughes. They married in May 1959 and went on to have six children and 11 grandchildren in their nearly 40 years together. The family is planning to hold a Celebration of Life ceremony for Rose on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Bala Cynwyd. Rose was devoted to her husband, children, family, and friends. Her purpose was to care lovingly for others and she always had an eye open for someone nearby who might need a warm smile or a helping hand. She was a voracious reader of fiction and made great use of the Worcester Public Library among others. She enjoyed creating: after first learning to sew for her family, she never found a handicraft she couldn’t master, like crocheting, knitting, and quilting. And Rose loved to bake for others: breads, cookies, cakes, and even eclairs. She liked watching old movies, the Red Sox (mostly), and Jeopardy as of late. She cut her teeth as a lifelong “value shopper” at Filene’s Basement and always prized a good bargain. Throughout her life, Vermont was both a beloved place and a state of mind that she returned to as often as she could; residing there for over a decade following the death of her husband. Above all, Rose was a kind person, with a quick wit, easy laugh and curiosity about others, who lived her life with a deep sense of gratitude and optimism. Ever a kid at heart, she was often a playfully mischievous companion to her grandchildren and other young friends. Her regular sign-off was “love ya.” Rose was predeceased by her husband Walter, her mother Rose (Arseneault) Roy, step-father George M. Roy and grandson Collin Hughes. Rose is survived by her daughters Anne Kelly (Vincent) and Elizabeth Hughes; and her sons Thomas Hughes (Piper), David Hughes, Jack Hughes (Anita), and Mark Hughes (Erin); her grandchildren Jack (Katie) and Rory Kelly; Madison and Sydney Hughes; Quinn Hughes; Avery and McKenzie Hughes, Vivienne and Ruby Hughes; and Rowan Wurthmann; as well as nieces and nephews whom she loved wholeheartedly. She cherished her nearly lifelong friendship with Kathleen King Madaus and her family, and more recently, with the Jerry and Joan Purcell family who “adopted” Rose as their other grandmother when she moved to Pennsylvania in 2016. Rose was lovingly cared for by the staff of The Hearth at Drexel in Bala Cynwyd where she lived the last five years of her life. As such, the family requests that charitable contributions in Rose’s name be made to their Benevolent Care funds at https://thehearthatdrexel.org/giving/ or mailed to: The Hearth at Drexel, 238 Belmont Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 attn: executive director.

Tributes

Rosilda Cecile "Rose" Hughes

May 10, 1929 - November 15, 2024