Obituary of Eleanor M. Hughes

Eleanor " Ellie " M. Hughes, 91 of New London, passed away on July 1, 2017, at the Grand Nursing Home, with her loving family by her side. She was born on December 25, 1925 in Pittsfield, Maine, a daughter of the late Merton and Alice Weeman Southard. During WWII Ellie was employed as a Battleship Welder in Bath, Maine. This is where she was introduced to Manford S. Hughes. The two were united in marriage on November 5, 1944 in Pittsfield, Maine. Manford passed away on 1/28/2014. For over 30 years Ellie was employed by the Rome Developmental Center, retiring in 1983. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Rome, where she served as a Deacon and taught Christian Education. Ellie was also a member of the American Baptist Women's Association, New London Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary and served as a Troop Leader for the Girl Scouts. In her free time she enjoyed camping, fishing, crocheting, knitting, making hats, gloves, afghans and scarves. Ellie loved to work around her home raising goats, chickens and tending to her dogs and cats. She was a wonderful cook who raised most of her own food from her garden which she canned, froze or turned into wonderful desserts for her husband. She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Manford S. Hughes Jr. of West Frankfort, IL, James and Diane Hughes of Blossvale, N.Y.; a daughter, Deanna 'Dixie" Sherwood of Moravia; a sister, Noreen Catlin of Hartland, ME; one brother , Robert Southard, Bath, ME; eight grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren. Ellie was predeceased by a daughter-in-law, Pauline Hughes; a sister, Patricia Cooley and brother Glendon Southard. Funeral service will be on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at Strong-Burns & Sprock Funeral Home 7751 Merrick Road, Rome. Calling hours 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. prior to the service. Burial will take place in Rome Cemetery. Donations can be made to either First Baptist Church of Rome or New London Fire Department