Patricia Byrne Hughes

KEOTA-Patricia Byrne Hughes passed away peacefully in her sleep Friday, June 2, 2017. Patricia was a resident of Redwood City, California.
Patricia was born to Basil and Kathleen Byrne in Iowa City, Iowa, the eldest of 7 children (5 girls and 2 boys). When her father graduated from Law School, the family moved to Keota, Iowa, a town of 1,000 people, where her dad was the only lawyer. Patricia graduated from Marycrest College (a Catholic women's college) in Davenport, Iowa. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Drama, as well as a secondary teaching credential. Immediately after college, she applied for and received a commission in the United States Navy. She loved to travel, and wanted to make a living and see the world. As a Communications Officer in the Navy, she was stationed in Washington, D.C. and London, England, where she visited almost every country in Western Europe. Toward the end of her assignment in London, she married and they returned to the U.S. to find a place to call home. They traveled and camped in a VW Beetle, and their search took them from New York, to the Midwest, to Alaska and to Southern California before choosing Redwood City as their home. At the age of 40, she decided on a new career and used her G.I. Bill to earn a Master's degree and an elementary teaching credential from Notre Dame de Namur University. She enjoyed teaching community education classes for a number of years.
Patricia had a long-term ministry as a Lector at St. Matthias Catholic Church in Redwood City, and served four years as president of the St. Matthias Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Patricia also served as a volunteer at the Redwood City Public Library and at Filoli, a historical country estate. In addition, she volunteered as an internet Visitor with Mended Hearts, Inc. She was an avid hiker, reader and duplicate bridge player.
Patricia is survived by her two brothers: Paul Byrne and Basil Byrne, Jr; two sisters: Helen Kimball and Mary Wolff; her children: Kimberly (Robert) Lucadello, Kerry Hughes and Michael Hughes (Ana Maria); her grandchildren: Vanessa Skeens (Justin), Michael Fortes and Alexander Hughes and great granddaughter: Brooklyn Skeens. She has joined her parents, Basil and Kathleen Byrne, and her sisters Margaret Riordan and Rosemary Laux in heaven. She will be missed by friends and family too numerous to count. Rest in peace Patricia/Mom/Pink Princess/Noni, we all love you very much.

Memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at Holy Trinity Parish - St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota, with Rev. Charles Fladung officiating. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemeteries - St. Mary Cemetery in Keota. Visitation will be from 9:00 am until service time on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Patricia's name. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Patricia and her family. Tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.