Jone Koran Hughes, 89, formerly of Tucson, died July 7, 2020.
She was born in New York City to John J. Koran and Matilda Lutcha Koran. Jone survived polio as a child and carried a disability her whole life. The first in her family to earn a degree, from Buffalo State College in New York, she moved to California and taught elementary school in 1952. She traveled to Japan to teach English in 1954, where she met and later married Edward J. Hughes, who was in the United States Air Force. Their family, including children Lisa, Mark, Kevin, and Paula, were stationed at bases in the United States, Germany and France. Jone volunteered with Family Services and was president of the Officers Wives’ Club. After 26 years of service in the United States Air Force, she and Edward settled in Tucson, where Jone began a successful career in real estate. She loved to travel and sailed on over 30 cruises all around the world. A former member of Temple Emanu-El, lifetime member of sisterhood, president of the National Council of Jewish Women and lifetime member of Hadassah, she relocated to Fort Worth, Texas to be closer to her two daughters and their families.
Jone was preceded in death by her husband, Edward.
Survivors include her children, Lisa (Bland) Smith of Aledo, Texas; Mark Hughes of Silver City, New Mexico; Kevin Hughes of Surprise, Arizona; and Paula (James) Holcomb of Fort Worth, Texas; daughter-in-law, Dolly Hughes; eight grandchildren, and 11great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank all the caregivers, especially the COVID ICU nurses, who were with her at the end.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
