Hildred Lee Hughes (Huyssoon)

Hildred Lee Hughes (Huyssoon) was born January 12, 1924 in Blackshear, Georgia to Erma Mae Hughes (rogers) and Harry Lee Hughes a US Navy Veteran and Mechanical Engineer. She graduated from Bradenton High School in Bradenton, Florida at age 14. She then attended college until World War II interrupted her schooling. During that time, she became a sports writer for a Florida newspaper, was a secretary for Ernest Hemmingway, and inventoried naval Aircraft at Pensacola Naval Air Station.

She is survived by her oldest son, Jay Huyssoon; youngest son, Bill Huyssoon; loved daughter-in-laws, Patty Huyssoon and Marilynn Lopez-Huyssoon; 11 grandchildren; many great grandchildren and many many friends.

Following World War II and a failed marriage, Hildred raised two boys, Joseph Logan (Jay) and William L. (Bill) that became military veterans, firemen, teachers, and servants to the United States of America. After the divorce, Hildred worked as a secretary for the US Government officials in Paso Robles and San Francisco, California. In June, 1955, she married John Winthrop Huyssoon, Col., US Army, who was the adjutant for General Eisenhower, and later the Presidio of San Francisco, California.

            In 1962, after Col. Huyssoon passed, she became the owner of a failing yarn shop in San Anselmo, California. After thirty-one years of dedication to her sons and her customers, she built The Yarn Nook into the most successful wholesale yarn store west of the Mississippi River (as per the Spinner and Brunswick Salesmen in 1968). During her time in San Anselmo, CA, she walked the floors 14 hours a day, 7 days a week, held several Voluntary Public Positions, and helped many yarn shops in the San Francisco Bay area get started.

            In 1992, Hildred retired, but was not done serving her community and holding administrative positions. She moved to Hubbard Oregon and continued to help hard working people meet their dreams, while helping get a family business going again. The friends she made in Hubbard, Oregon were dear to her. Memories of them remained with her until her last days. Then due to health issues, she moved to New Mexico.

            Moving to New Mexico did not change her compassion to help others. She financed equipment for non -profit organizations and supported efforts to build a successful vocational program in an area that could benefit from such a plan. She financed the vocational program in the Rio Puerco Valley, New Mexico at La Ventana, New Mexico. The societies that have benefitted from her compassion to serve others are more numerous than one could count.

            Having been the mother of two boys that became servants to our constitution and community and paving the way for many to become successful in their lives, she remained humble in her last days. She still had good math skills at 97, remembered her past friends, and got ready to be with Jesus. She provided strength, knowledge, and assistance that her great business mind could provide. You, mom, were there when God needed you and did what God told you to do. Love you.