Ann Hughes

Stonington — Ann Holloway Hughes, 98, died peacefully of natural causes Nov. 30, 2022, at Masonicare Mystic in Stonington. She was born Martha Ann Holloway July 3, 1924, in Indianapolis, Ind., the second child of Edward Howe Holloway and Doris Collins Holloway. She grew up in Knightstown and Irvington, Ind., graduating in the first four-year class from Howe High School in 1941, where she was elected Golden Girl in her senior year. She earned a bachelor of arts from Butler University in 1945, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. After that she attended Syracuse University and then taught at All Saints Episcopal School in Vicksburg, Miss.

In September 1950 Ann married Edwin Holt Hughes III in Indianapolis, where they raised their three children, Edwin Holt Hughes IV “Holt”, Ann “Holly” Hughes, and Elizabeth “Buffie” Hughes-Sternberg. Ann and Ed, both avid golfers, were longtime members of the Country Club of Indianapolis. Additionally, Ann was active in local organizations including the Children’s Bureau, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indianapolis, and the Jonathan Jennings chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In the 1970s she began a second career as a freelance writer and was, for several years, the editor-in-chief of Indiana Business magazine.

In the mid-1980s Ann and Ed retired to Niceville, Fla., where they continued to enjoy golf. After her husband’s death in 1999, Ann moved to Stonington to be closer to her children and grandchildren. A lifelong Episcopalian, Ann became a congregant of the Calvary Church in Stonington where she volunteered in the parish office. In addition to being predeceased by her husband, Ann was also predeceased by her sister Miriam (Holloway) Roper (2002); her brother Edward Howe Holloway Jr. (2005); and her son Holt (2014).

Ann is survived by her daughter Holly and son-in-law Bob Ward of New York; her daughter Buffie and son-in-law Bill Sternberg of Stonington; seven grandchildren, Annie Hughes-Lee, Molly Shively, Hugh Ward, Tom Ward, Grace Ward, Frank Sternberg and Lucy Sternberg; and four great-grandsons, Carter Lee, Caleb Lee, Will Shively and Graham Shively. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

Beyond golf, Ann pursued a number of other interests. She was a master seamstress and knitter until her eyesight failed; she was an accomplished pianist; she loved to read history and fiction; and she also completed two unpublished novels and numerous short stories. In retirement Ann became an enthusiastic and disciplined aficionado of Microsoft’s Free Cell computer game. Ann’s sharp mind, unflagging optimism and quick wit will be missed by those who had the pleasure to spend time with her.

A memorial service is planned for the spring.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Stonington Free Library (www.stoningtonfreelibrary.org/support/support-us) or the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center (pawcatuckneighborhoodcenter.org).