November 29, 2016
Mary Etta Rice Hughes
1928 – 2016
Mary Etta Rice Hughes, born on February 2, 1928, passed away November 29, 2016. She was 88 years old of Mayetta, Kansas. Our beloved and dearest mother, grandmother and great grandmother was dearly loved by many and was considered the matriarch of the Hughes family.
She resided in Colton, CA for 60 years. Mary was a proud Native American member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe. Mary lived in Washington and Colorado where she met her husband Carl Hughes and eventually moved to Colton, CA where she worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse.
She was board member of the San Bernardino American Indian Center and often spoke at schools sharing the native culture and history. Mary particularly enjoyed attending her youngest son’s (Bill Hughes) classes sharing her culture.
Mary loved humor, the outdoors, cake making, animals, family gatherings, Native American events, her children and grandchildren’s sport activities. Her greatest treasure was her family.
Our greatest loss is our beloved “Grandma Mary”. Yet we intend to carry on her gift of kindness, family, a smile for all and generosity. Our beloved mother and “Grandma Mary” is survived by 4 children (Dennis, Janice, Marshall, and Bill), 10 grand children, 13 great grand children, 1 sister, 1 son-in-law and 1 daughter-in-law.
A private family viewing will be held Friday, December 2, and hereafter she will be laid to rest at Mt. View Cemetery all in accordance to the traditional Native American tradition. May the creator and Lord God grant this special, loving lady peace, tranquility and love as she dwells among her family and the Lord God as she waits for us to greet her with her loving presence.