HOWLAND, SALT SPRINGS, Fla., and HIXSON, Tenn. – Celina Doustou Hughes, 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep July 7, 2005, after a courageous battle against Alzheimer’s disease. She died at her home in Hixson, Tenn., with her daughter, Theresa Slowikowski, by her side. Celina was born Oct. 26, 1918, in West Enfield, the daughter of Charles and Margaret Doustou. She attended schools in West Enfield, and in her lifetime, she survived the Great Depression and proudly served her country with the U.S. Army during World War II. She and her mother enlisted together, which was an event publicized by the Bangor Daily News. She worked at numerous jobs, but her proudest job was raising her children. She was a loving, hard-working and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, and her family was her life. She was selfless when it came to her children and grandchildren. She was a captivating storyteller, a skilled writer, an avid gardener, and most of all, a true caregiver at heart. After her husband’s death in 1983, she became active in the Messianic Ministries, traveling several times to Israel. She valued education and was very proud when her children received advanced degrees. The final years of her life were spent with her daughter and son-in-law Frank Slowikowski in Tennessee, where she felt safe and at home. She will live on through the stories and lessons she shared with those who loved her. Celina was predeceased by her husband, Robert R. Hughes; and her sister, Claire Poliquin. She is survived by her sister, Louise Bean of Litchfield, Conn.; her seven children, Theresa Slowikowski and her husband, Frank, of Hixson, Tenn.; Cecelia York of Interlachen, Fla.; Mary Hughes of Portland; Robert Hughes of Howland; Kathryn Collins of Brewer; Cynthia Beam and her husband, Steve, of Fort McCoy, Fla.; and Joseph Hughes and his wife, Angie, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She will also be dearly missed by 15 grandchildren, Christopher Slowikowski, Margaret Smith, Michael York, Jessica York, Montana Hughes, Rebecca Labbe, Amy Hughes, Jonathan Hughes, Rheanna Hughes, Ruth Hughes, Benjamin Hughes, Lindsay Collins, Tracy Collins, Celina Purdy and Zoe Beam. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Visiting hours for family and friends will be held 7-9 p.m. Sunday, July 10, at the Clay Funeral Home in Lincoln A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Monday, July 11, at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Howland, with the Rev. Andre Houle presiding. She will be buried at St. Matthew’s Cemetery in West Enfield with her husband. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., Sixth Floor, New York, NY 10001. Visit www.lanecoulterchapel.com or www.clayfuneralhome.com to send condolences.
CELINA DOUSTOU HUGHES
