Virginia Hughes

Hughes, Virginia J. 11/22/1932 - 11/20/2021 Kalamazoo Joanne passed away on Saturday, November 20, 2021, in Kalamazoo, Michigan following a cardiac event. Joanne was born to the late Virgil and Gladys Frink on November 22, 1932, in Dayton, Oregon and was the youngest of three girls. She graduated from high school in McMinnville, Oregon and swam competitively for the Multnomah Athletic Club. She went on to graduate from Oregon State College (now Oregon State University) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. She married Robert E. Hughes, Jr. on September 6, 1953. They had three children, (Debra) Lynn, Lori, and David. The family relocated to Washington, then to Kalamazoo, Michigan so that Robert could take a job at the A. M. Todd Company, where he worked until his death in 1991. They had divorced in 1986. In addition to raising three children and supporting them as competitive swimmers, Joanne worked hard all her life. She was a skilled dog groomer, both from the home, then later, from a shop. She also owned a miniature store, The Small Shoppe, for a number of years. Dogs were a passion for her, and she was involved in confirmation, obedience and breeding of Dalmatians, Poodles and Afghans. She was an expert at the Poodle haircut and styling for shows. She was also an excellent seamstress and highly creative. Her hobbies included knitting, quilting, crochet, handmade dolls and teddy bears, elaborate miniatures, and doll houses. Joanne was a voracious reader, passing this love on to her children. People loved her wit and down-to-earth approach to life, as well as her pies! She leaves behind many devoted friends. There was a special and hilarious relationship with her son, David, which entertained people at her apartment complex and the delivery workers from Shipt. Joanne is survived by her children; grandson, Greyson and granddaughters Allison and Emma; great grandchildren, Sara and Aiden, as well as a lovely extended family from her sister, Georgene. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Dorothy and Georgene, and her grandson Nicholas. Memorials can be made to the family, made out to Lori Hughes, in c/o Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services 622 S Burdick St Kalamazoo, MI 49007, for the care of her beloved cat, Alice, or sent to: Midwest Miniature Museum, 20 S. 5th St. Grand Haven, MI 49417. No memorial service is planned at this time. To leave an online condolence, please visit https://www.langelands.com