September 1, 1934 ~ November 9, 2024
Shirley (Blacker) Hughes, 90, a longtime resident of Reading, MA, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, November 9, 2024. She was the loving wife of the late John F. (Jack) Hughes. Born in Cambridge, MA, she was the daughter of the late John J. MacDonald and Margaret (Deely) MacDonald. Shirley graduated from Saint John’s High School in Cambridge, MA, and then graduated from Cambridge City Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a Registered Nurse at Boston Regional Medical Center in Stoneham, MA, for many years. Shirley had a profound Catholic faith. She found peace and strength in her daily prayers, reciting the rosary multiple times a day with steadfast devotion. Guided by her deep and abiding faith in God, Shirley served as the beloved matriarch to her extended family, always a source of strength, support, and love.
Shirley was blessed with the gift of giving and had a remarkable ability to connect with everyone who came into her life. Shirley was the most selfless and generous person, a natural caretaker whose door was always open. Known for her great sense of humor and her love of music and dancing, Shirley filled every room with warmth and joy. Her devotion to family and friends was unwavering, and anyone fortunate enough to know her was truly blessed. She made everyone feel special, staying connected with people near and far, often for a lifetime.
Family members include her daughter, Donna Heslin, and her husband, Jon of Sutton, MA; her son, Bob Blacker, and his wife Esther of Scituate, MA; her daughter, Deborah King of Colorado; her daughter, Susan Ford and her husband Daniel of Reading, MA, her son John Blacker and his wife Yvonne of Lynnfield, MA, her daughter Patricia Mitchell and her husband Steven of Natick Ma, her daughter Diane Komodromos of Reading, MA, and her son Paul Blacker and his wife Lauren of California. She was the beloved Nana to 28 grandchildren, including Jenna, Jon and James Heslin, Jessica Garcia-Heslin, Joshua, Gabrielle, Julia, and Charley Blacker, Taryn King, Courtney Hinde, Becca Owumi, Melissa Saco-Vertiz, Brian, Brendan, and Kevin Ford, Zachary, Dylan, Owen, and Ben Blacker, Connor, Rory, and Quinn Mitchell, Brenna Houtmeyers, Bella and Zoe Komodromos, Ayden and Max Blacker. She is survived by 27 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Patricia Gualtieri and husband Sal of Billerica, MA, her brother Robert MacDonald and his wife Carol of Maryland and her sister-in-law Deanna MacDonald of Somerville, MA. She was predeceased by her brother Jack MacDonald of Somerville and her grandson John Steven Blacker of Malden. Shirley was blessed with many dear friends, especially her devoted neighbor, Steve McNamara.
Funeral to be held from the Cota Funeral Home, 335 Park St., North Reading (Corner of Park St. and Rt. 28 at the Reading Line) on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 9:30am. A Funeral Mass to Celebrate Shirley will follow at St. Agnes Church, 186 Woburn St., Reading at 10:30am. Burial to follow in Charles Lawn Cemetery, Reading
Family and friends are cordially invited to visiting hours at the Cota Funeral Home on Sunday, November 17, 2024 from 1 to 4pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial contributions to be made in Shirley’s name to Mission of Deeds 6 Chapin Ave, Reading, Ma info@missionof deeds.org or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, Tn 38105 stjude.org
