Rebecca Anne Hughes

Tomorrows Service 9/23/2022 at St. James RC Church will be Live Streamed.  Please click on the link  https://vimeo.com/event/2446024.  It will be live 15 minutes before the start of the service.

Rebecca Anne Hughes, 45, of Port Jefferson, died suddenly on September 14, 2022, as her family held her close in love. She is survived by her devoted husband Dan, and their two beautiful, compassionate, and loving daughters Abigail and Nora. Family time was always prioritized and fun!  Rebecca was born on June 3, 1977 to Doreen and Lucian Jablonski. Her mother surely welcomed her with the biggest hug and danced her through Heaven’s gates. She leaves behind her father, Lucian, and siblings Jennifer (and Darren) Dunn, Amanda (and Lauren) Clancy, and Jeremy (and Caitlin) Jablonski, who will forever cherish family vacations, daily childhood meals together, and a household full of love and laughter, mostly initiated by Rebecca herself. She also leaves behind her siblings-in-love, Mike (and Danielle) Hughes, Pat (and Melanie) Hughes, TJ (and Tim) Hughes, Ann-Marie (and Christine) Hughes, 22 nieces and nephews, and 5 great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom benefited from her generous, creative and fun-filled heart. Rebecca taught as an elementary school teacher for the Patchogue-Medford  School District for 20 years, showing compassion and instilling a sense of wonder for her students; she quietly provided for students in need. Her coworkers were her second family and with her they laughed until they cried on a daily basis. She was a cherished cousin, niece and granddaughter to her large family, always adding flavor to holiday get togethers and annual family vacations at the beach. She was a loving, loyal and dedicated friend to so many people. Rebecca had a sense of humor that could make anyone laugh and her delivery was always on point.

Rebecca’s greatest treasures were her daughters and she was the epitome of motherhood; an incredible mom who was there for Abby and Nora in countless ways, always making sure they had everything they needed to be good, kind, smart and respectful people. Everything they are is because of her.  She was a shining example of a wife and partner to Dan, demonstrating daily that communication, commitment and humor through the ups and downs of life will get you through (and frequent trips to Disney and Fripp help, too).

Rebecca always said what was on her heart, no matter how difficult it was for her to say it or for others to hear it. It changed lives.  She loved to shop - for herself, for her family, for friends, for strangers. She NEVER showed up empty handed, ever. And no matter what you needed, she had it for you in her “Mary Poppins bag” within seconds.   Her love of shoes, bags, makeup and the latest and greatest kitchen gadget filled her with joy, and she’d often buy an extra of whatever it was she was shopping for to gift to someone else just to spread that joy. She just knew what people needed and executed without hesitation.

She smelled of cucumber melon, wore leopard print often, and loved a good theme; she planned events with ease, leaving everyone to wonder “how did she come up with that?” Beyond events, she was creative with ideas for gift giving, decorating, baking, cooking, and everything else in between.  To know her is to love her. It’s hard to believe she found enough time in the day to make so many people feel loved and understood. She reached so many, and she will continue to do so. She was always there for everyone and was so giving throughout her life that it is no surprise her last act was to keep giving by donating her organs. Her organ donations have already given life to others and will bring hope and happiness to more recipients and their families. Please consider honoring Rebecca by being generous - send a note or text to let someone know you’re thinking of them, pick up that little trinket that reminds you of someone and give it to them, show up to your next party with a hostess gift, be a little overindulgent at your next holiday, or consider saving a life by being an organ donor. These are ways to honor the caring and generous nature we all valued in Rebecca, and likely benefitted from as well.  We were the lucky ones to have a front row seat to her love and generosity. If you knew her, I am sure she made you laugh, made you feel loved and made you feel lucky to have had her in your life for whatever little time you did. Rebecca always showed up, arms and heart full.

Rebecca’s funeral will be held at St. James R.C. Church in Setauket on September 23rd at 10:45. Interment will follow at Cemetery.

If you’d like to make a donation to a charity in Rebecca’s name in lieu of flowers, please consider the Alzheimer’s Association or LiveOnNY.