Jone Koran Hughes, 89, of Tucson, Arizona, a native of New York City, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2020 at Baylor Scott and White All Saints Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas from complications related to COVID-19.
Jone Hughes was born on February 10, 1931 to John J. Koran and Matilda Lutcha Koran. A strong and determined woman from a young age, she survived Polio as a child and carried a disability due to its complications her whole life. Jone was a remarkable student graduating from Northport High School, Long Island, in 1948 in three and a half years. She went on to be the first person in her family to graduate from college after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Buffalo State College in New York in 1952.
After her collegiate endeavors, Jone moved to Whittier, California and taught elementary school English for one year. During this time, her favorite restaurant was also frequented by then-Senator, Richard Nixon, whom she met on multiple occasions. In 1954, Jone traveled by sea to Japan to teach English at the Green Park Department School in Tokyo. It was there that she met and fell in love with Edward J. Hughes, who was a lieutenant in the United States Air Force.
Jone and Edward married on July 23, 1955 in Covina, California. Together, they had four children – Lisa, Mark, Kevin, and Paula. During Edward’s time in the Air Force, the family was stationed at multiple bases within the United States as well as Germany and France. Jone, always active in her local community, volunteered with Family Services and was President of the Officers Wives’ Club in addition to many other civic activities such as homeroom mom and Girl Scouts of America. In the mid-1950s, while Edward was stationed in Alabama, Jone protested alongside Rosa Parks during the Montgomery civil rights movement.
A life-long lover of languages, Jone not only mastered Czech in her childhood home, but also went on to study Spanish and French in college. While stationed abroad in Europe, she became conversational in German as well as French and never missed an opportunity to have a lively discussion in a foreign tongue.
After 26 years of service in the United States Air Force, Jone and Edward settled in Tucson, Arizona where she began a successful career in real estate. Jone was the #1 salesperson for Better Homes and Gardens in Tucson, Arizona for three straight years from 1985 to1987.
Jone was active in several organizations. She was Director of Catechism for Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Tucson, Arizona as well as a United Nations Delegate to the Mid-Decade Conference for Women. After converting to Judaism, Jone went on to become the President of the National Council of Jewish Women. During her term as President, Jone accepted a White House invitation to have lunch hosted by First Lady Rosalynn Carter and President Jimmy Carter.
During her life, Jone had a passion for traveling and entertaining. She sailed on over 30 cruises to places such as Australia and Russia, as well as all throughout Europe. Always a thoughtful host, Jone loved entertaining and having people in her home. In 2014, Jone relocated to Fort Worth, Texas to be closer to her two daughters and their families. One of her favorite events in Fort Worth was Friday night happy hour and dinner with her family. During this time, Jone particularly enjoyed vivacious conversations about politics, religion and world events with her grandson, J Reed Holcomb.
Jone is preceded in death by her husband, Edward J. Hughes; mother, Matilda Lutcha Koran; father, John J. Koran; brother, John Koran; and sister-in-law, Mary Lou Koran. She is survived by her four children – Lisa (Bland) Smith of Aledo, Texas; Mark Hughes of Silver City, New Mexico; Kevin Hughes of Surprise, Arizona; and Paula (James) Holcomb of Fort Worth, Texas. She is also survived by a beloved daughter-in-law, Dolly Hughes, eight grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.
We would like to thank all the caregivers for the loving care they provided her, especially the COVID ICU nurses at Baylor Scott and White All Saints Medical Center, who were with her at the end.
Jone will be joining her husband, Colonel (ret) Edward J. Hughes, USAF, in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. A celebration of life will be held in Fort Worth, Texas for family and close friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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