Jean L. Hughes

STANDISH — Jean L. Hughes died on Nov. 27, 2012 in Portland, from complications that accompanied Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease. She was surrounded by her immediate family.

Jean was born in Portland on March 31, 1944. She married her lifelong love, Peter B. Hughes, on August 5, 1967. Educated at Brewer High School and Maine Medical School of Nursing, Jean graduated with a bachelor's degree from St. Joseph's College in Windham. She then worked as a Cardiac Intensive Care Nurse at Maine Medical Center and the Osteopathic Hospital for a combined 13 years, but is better known as longtime school nurse for MSAD #6. When she began in 1979 she was the medical care provider for the thirteen elementary schools in the district, but for the second half of her career with MSAD #6, she was School Nurse and caretaker extraordinaire  at Bonny Eagle Middle School. She loved her job for the 27 years she committed to it.

Jean was one of those women who was good at everything she did; a fabulous cook, gifted gardener and talented crafter. Her family will treasure the handmade quilts and sweaters for generations to come. Always her surroundings were made welcoming  by her eye for things beautiful and comforting. Ultimately, however, she was best known for changing many lives for the better, of both students and staff,  through her work at the Middle School.

Jean is survived by husband Peter B. Hughes of Standish; daughter Kelley Jean Hughes and her husband George Cabot, and their daughter Lydia Cabot, of Brunswick; daughter Stephanie Atkinson and her husband Gordon Atkinson and their three children, daughters Sydney and Margaret Jean and son, Benjamin Atkinson of Hollis;  her stepson Kevin Craig (KC) Hughes, his wife Katherine Pelletreau and their children, Kaitlin and Nicholas Hughes of Cumberland; stepdaughter Kristin Hughes of Falmouth; stepson Peter Tobey and his daughters, MacKenna and Tyler Tobey of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; her brother and sister Arnold Stone of Sebago and Doris O'Halloran of Brewer.

A celebration of her life will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6 at the North Windham Union Church with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter, 383 US Route One, Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME  04074.

Arrangements are by Hall Funeral Home, Casco. Online condolences may be left for the family at hallfuneralhomeinc.com