Obituaries

Sandra Marguerite Hughes (née Aylward) passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026 at home surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. She was the beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose life revolved entirely around her family, who were the center of her universe.

Born in 1942 in Berlin, New Hampshire, Sandra’s early life was shaped by resilience and strong family bonds. Her father went off to fight in Europe during World War II, leaving her mother, Elsie, to work as a welder at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard; a true Rosie the Riveter.Raised by her single mother for the first 12 years of her life, Sandra later gained a loving stepfather when her mother remarried, the only father she ever knew.

She met the love of her life, Raymond George Hughes, during her senior year of high school in Portsmouth, NH. He was in the Air Force, stationed at Pease Air Force Base in her hometown. Even though her mother “forbid” her to date the military guys, Ray and Sandy’s love was destined to be. It didn’t take long for everyone, especially Sandra’s mother and step-father to fall in love with Raymond, just like Sandra did.

They married shortly after her graduation and began their life together, first moving to Raymond’s hometown of Cincinnati, OH, and then to Ludlow, KY. In 1974, they moved to Petersburg, KY, where they lovingly renovated a pre-Civil War home known locally as the “Hippy House.” This home became the warm gathering place for family, friends, cookouts, and celebrations for decades.Friends still comment on the Sunday Funday Volleyball Tournaments that would be hosted each summer. There were never any invitations.If it was a sunny Sunday, then everyone knew that Sandy Hughes would have a feast for 10 or 50 people on a moment’s notice.

A devoted homemaker and the steadfast rock of her family, Sandra raised her three children to be honest, hardworking, and kind. She was a patient and gifted listener who approached every conflict with fairness and clarity. When her children came to her with a problem or grievance, she would listen without judgment and gently present all sides of the situation. Her early years, growing up with a single mother in the 1940’s and 50’s instilled the rare gift of perspective and she taught us that everyone views the world differently and has their own reasons and set of circumstances for how they behave in the world.

Sandy and Ray celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last August. Some of their most memorable experiences were visiting places such as Paris, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Hawaii, and their favorite destination, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. As empty nesters, they developed a shared passion for horseback riding and would often trailer their horses on weekends to Eastern Kentucky, where they rode through the mountains on Raymond’s family land in Appalachia. These shared experiences brought them much happiness and a love for nature.

Sandra later worked in real estate with Jim Huff Realty Group for six years before finding her true calling as an educational aide at Charles H. Kelly Elementary School in Belleview Bottoms, KY. Working with children was one of the great joys of her life. Just like with her own children, she had a natural ability to connect with them through trust and respect and was deeply loved by her students.

Sandra is survived by her husband of 65 years, Raymond George Hughes; her three children, Karen Huenefeld (William), Raymond David Hughes (Tammy), Kristen Syphers (Eric); five grandchildren, Jordan Hurm (Aaron), Thomas Hughes (Sophia Dellacave), Emma Hughes (Dylan Perez), Julia Syphers and Anna Syphers; four great-grandchildren, Eden, Blair, Penelope, and Raymond Hurm; her older brother, Thomas Aylward; and many nieces and nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and great nieces/nephews whom she loved dearly.

It goes without saying that Sandra’s family will carry her lessons of love, kindness, fairness, and devotion forever. Most importantly, she leaves behind a legacy built on what she cherished above all else: FAMILY.

We will honor Sandra with a Celebration of Life at the Petersburg Community Center on Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 1:00pm in Petersburg, KY. We welcome any memories you have to share.