Joanne Sherry McHugh, 86, left us peacefully while surrounded by her loving family on November 28th, 2022. Joanne was born in Bristol, South Dakota on August 3rd, 1936 to Mildred and Lorainne Wattier. She attended Bristol Schools where she graduated in 1954 as Valedictorian and Honor Student of the year. Joanne loved school and was very active in music programs. After graduation, she moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota, and worked as the secretary to the circulation manager of the Aberdeen American News. Joanne met Thomas “Bubba” McHugh on a blind date while he was playing baseball for the Baltimore Orioles affiliated farm team, the Aberdeen Pheasants. After the baseball season ended, Bubba convinced Joanne to uproot and settle with him in his hometown of Portland Maine. The two were married in 1959 and raised their four children in the Deering Center area. Joanne had a number of jobs in her lifetime, but primarily she was a secretary at the law offices of Schwartz, Wilson, Fernald & Foley. Joanne wasn’t one to sit idle and loved people, so after she retired she found many employers that were happy to have her help out. She worked at the Deering Center Muncheonette, Cumberland Farms, Rite Aid, Thurston’s Burgers and BJ’s.
Joanne loved her life enjoying all the wonderful things the community of Portland had to offer. Throughout her life, you could find Joanne as a crossing guard on Stevens Avenue, fielding foul balls from her property behind Ludlow Little League Field, cheering on her favorite local team the Portland Sea Dogs, perusing around a neighborhood yard sale, feeding the ducks on a Saturday morning walk at Evergreen Cemetery, and serving traditional Sunday dinners with her husband, children, friends, and grandkids.
She is predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband Thomas, her sister and best friend, Bernetta, her brother Larry, and her son-in-law Joseph Daniels. She is survived by her sister Lynne, her sister-in-law Leona, and her four wonderful children: Daughter Vickie and her husband Jeff Lord of Cape Elizabeth, Daughter Michelle Daniels of Falmouth, Son James McHugh and his partner Michelle LaBonte of Portland, Daughter Robin McHugh and her partner Lee DiBiase of Falmouth, and her beloved grandchildren Jessica and Joseph Daniels, along with many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday December 6th from 4-6 at the Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home at 199 Woodfords St, Portland Maine 04103 where a Catholic prayer service will follow at 6 PM.
A special thanks to Hospice of Southern Maine for all of their help with her care.
Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes for information and to leave a tribute in Joanne’s memory.
In lieu of flower, please make contributions to Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 383 US Rt.1 Ste.2C, Scarborough, Me. 04074
