Dorothy Knox Duncan Hughes

Dorothy Knox Duncan Hughes, age 95, passed away on Thursday, the 25th of October 2012. Dorothy was born on the 15th of September 1917, to Mildred Knox Brown Duncan and Clarence Douglas Duncan. She was born at Scott & White Hospital in Temple, Texas and was raised in Bellville, Texas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Edward Hughes and her son, Fred Edward Hughes, Jr. Dorothy is survived by her son, Knox Brown Hughes, her daughter, Laura-Hill Hughes Taylor, her son-in-law, Desmond M.J. Taylor and her grandsons, Duncan M.E. Taylor and Phillip M.J. Taylor. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Jane Duncan Harding and several nephews.

Dorothy graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1939 with a BBA and moved to Houston, where she worked for Humble Oil, Thad Hutcheson and Joel Berry. She and Fred married on the 25th of May 1944 and started the Standard Stationery Company. In 1949, after the birth of their first child, Dorothy stayed at home raising their 3 children. She eventually returned to work teaching business law and accounting in the Houston Independent School District.

Dorothy was an active member of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church and participated in many activities sponsored by the church. She especially enjoyed working with the Saintly Stitchers, and helped make the needlepoint kneelers for the church and the needlepoint Christmas ornaments for The White House Christmas tree during President George H.W. Bush’s administration. She also was an active member of OPUS (Older People Up to Something) and joined them on many of their trips.

Dorothy was a member of many genealogical societies. She was an active member in the Lady Washington Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and served on the board as chaplain and historian. She was a member of the San Jacinto Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas where she served in several positions on the board. She was also a member of Colonial Dames of America Chapter VIII where she served as the chaplain and corresponding secretary; the Jefferson Davis Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy; Texas Division, National Society Magna Charta Dames and Barons; Colonel John Alston Chapter, Colonial Dames of XVII Century and the Jamestowne Society.

Dorothy traveled extensively with Fred and together they visited every continent except Antarctica. Some of her favorite trips were to Australia, Russia, Africa and South America. She also traveled extensively with her dear friend of many years, the late Jane Gorden.

She was a great lover and supporter of music and the arts. While at the University of Texas she was in the Glee Club and in Houston, Dorothy was a season subscriber of the Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Symphony, the Houston Pops, Opera in the Heights and the Alley Theater.

Some of the best times she and Fred had were at her farm in Fayette County, near LaGrange, Texas, where they entertained extensively, especially at their annual Fourth of July barbecue.

Dorothy also enjoyed sewing and needlepoint in her spare time and belonged to two bridge clubs, Entre Nous and the DAR Bridge Club.

Dorothy’s family wishes to extend its deepest appreciation to those that did so much for her: Medalina Cato, Felicia Mohammad, Maria Rodriguez and the entire staff of The Hallmark.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from six until eight o’clock in the evening on Wednesday, the 31st of October, in the Library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service in celebration of Dorothy’s life, is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Thursday, the 1st of November, at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road in Houston, where the Rev. Katherine Picot, and the Rev. Stuart Bates, are to officiate.

Immediately following, all are invited to a reception in the nearby Bagby Parish Hall.

Prior to the memorial service, the family is to gather for a private interment at Glenwood Cemetery.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Dorothy’s memory may be made to the charity of one's choice.