Dolores Therese Hughes, 74, a beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, was peacefully smiling when she met Jesus face-to-face on Thursday afternoon, February 3, 2022.

Dolores was born on May 28, 1947 to the late Elmer and Viola (Rivard) McFarland.

Dolores met Patrick, her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, at Visitation in Bay City, Michigan. When Pat joined the Air Force and was stationed in the Philippines, 21 year old Dolores didn't hesitate-she took the first flight of her life, across the Pacific, to join her new husband.

Dolores and Pat (who survives her), stayed on their toes to keep up with their busy, growing family of eight children; Jennifer (Joseph) Schomker, Christine (Gregory) Guza, Beverly (Matthew) Guza, Sister Agnes Marie Hughes, Terrence (Melissa) Hughes, Matthew (Carrie) Hughes, Mariann Hughes, and Brandon (Toni) Hughes.

Her deep Catholic faith was her source of courage and strength during difficult times. Her only wish was that, "All my family will be with me in heaven someday." Every evening saw the Hughes family kneeling down together for night prayers. If someone in the community was lonely or in trouble, Dolores jumped in with a hot meal and small gifts.

Dolores was forced to cheer for the Detroit Tigers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish by her sports-crazed offspring, and waived all chore duties on game days. Also, it wasn't a Hughes gathering without a rowdy, competitive showdown in some sort of card game and a pile of her world-famous cheese rolls. She loved the outdoors- she and Pat put hundreds of miles on their trusty bikes, cycling all over Michigan. Her flower gardens provided much joy to her, and much grumbling from the kids who had to pull weeds. Although part of a sportsman family, Dolores only went hunting once and came back with a prized handful of tail feathers from the startled turkey she grazed.

Her 27 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren were her special pride and joy. Each new life was welcomed into the family as if he or she were the first grandchild. Dolores kept a legendary treasure box for their visits, and made it her top priority to build memories with them.

Before her health significantly declined, she and Pat celebrated their 50 ^th wedding anniversary in 2017 with all of their family at Canada Creek Ranch. She is beaming with love and pride in every photo from that weekend. Altogether, she and Pat shared almost 55 years of happy marriage filled with laughter, tears, pranks, and joys.

Dolores is survived by three brothers Jerome, Paul, and George; and four sisters, Ann, Mary, Joan, and Janet, as well as many well-loved nieces and nephews, who knew her as "Aunt Dee." She was preceded in death by her brother Jim and her sister Kay, as well as her parents, Elmer and Viola McFarland; and  her in-laws, Aloysius and Marion Hughes. Her grandson, Hunter Guza, was waiting for her arrival to heaven.

Mass of Christian burial will take place 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at Sacred Heart/ St. Hubert Parish in Bad Axe, with Fr. T.J. Fleming officiating. Visitation for Dolores will be 2-8 PM, Monday February 7, 2022 at the MacAlpine Funeral home in Bad Axe. Burial will be 11:00 AM on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at Calvary Cemetery, Kawkawlin Michigan; 2977 Old Kawkawlin Road.

The family would like to thank the staff at Courtney Manor of Bad Axe, and Compassus of Cass City for the excellent care given to Dolores during her stay.

Memorials may be offered to Right to Life, and also offered to mass for Dolores.

Condolences can be shared at www.macalpinefuneralhome.com