Helen Harriet Hughes, age 95, widow of Russell D. Hughes, passed away on Saturday, September 13, 2014, at the Cypress Lodge, Maple Creek, SK. Helen was born on April 14, 1919, on the Shiels Homestead, Abbey, SK and was assisted into this world by her Grandmother Harriet Jane Allen. She attended the Roi Dene School, riding her favorite horse, Dolly, to get there. She completed her Grade 11. Helen worked at home, helping her parents with the livestock. In 1937, she was responsible for all the care of the family’s livestock while her Dad took his best team of horses to Manitoba to cut hay and send it back for feed. He then sold the team in Manitoba before returning home. Helen married Russell D. Hughes on August 2, 1939, in Cabri, SK. Her attendants were her brother & sister-in-law, Roy & May Shiels. Helen is survived by her daughter, Irene Bingham (Mervin) of Swift Current, SK – grandson, Wade Bingham of Hazlet, SK: granddaughter, Laura Bingham of Regina, SK, great-grandchildren, Jessica Bingham [great-great-grandson, Ryder Penner], Samantha Kopperud, Victoria Kopperud and Ty Kopperud: grandson, Robert Bingham of Surrey, BC, and great-granddaughter, Sera; her son, Ivan Hughes (Donna) of Abbey, SK – grandson, Kenneth ( Joselyn) Hughes of Hazlet, SK, twin great-grandchildren, Noah and Hannah: granddaughter, Tammy Wiseman (Colin) of Swift Current, SK, great-grandson, Nathan: grandson, Michael (Angie) Hughes of Hazlet, SK, great-grandchildren, Riley and Alyssa; her son, Glenn Hughes (Barb) of Abbey, SK – grandson, Scott Hughes (Lori), great-granddaughters, Jacey and Kayla: granddaughter, Dianne Gergely (Mike) of Medicine Hat, AB, great-grandchildren, Austin and Ethan Wagner, and Emily Gergely ; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Alice & Nels Shiels; her brother & sister-in-law, Roy & May Shiels; her sister & brother-in-law, Marjorie & Clarence Hughes; lifelong friend, Emery Pederson; sister-in-law, Mae & Tom Allen; brother-in-law, Cecil & Jean Hughes; and by sister-in-law, Rose & George Tough.
The celebration of Life Service was held on Friday, September 19, 2014, at 2:00 pm from the Abbey United Church, Abbey, SK with Rev. Salesi Takau officiating. The musician for the service was Sandra Watson. “Amazing Grace” and “In the Garden” were sung by the congregation. The obituary and eulogy was shared by Irene Bingham. Special music was “The Old Rugged Cross”. The ushers in the church were Wyatt Hughes and Mark Hughes. The Interment Service was held at the Abbey Cemetery, Abbey, SK with the following serving as pallbearers, her sons, Ivan Hughes and Glenn Hughes, and her grandsons, Michael Hughes, Ken Hughes, Scott Hughes and Robert Bingham. In memory of Helen Hughes, donations made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK. For further information or to leave a personal message of condolence on the family‘s obituary page, please go to swiftcurrentfuneralhome.com