Mary Lou McMahan McHugh

Mary Lou (McMahan) Moore McHugh, age 83, a resident of Belleville and a native of the Tunnel Hill community, passed away Friday, July 18, 2014, at 10:44 AM at Relais Bonne Eau Hospice Home in Edwardsville. Mary was born February 10, 1931 at the family home in Tunnel Hill. She was the daughter of Harry “Pete” and Carrie (Simmons) McMahan. Both parents preceded her in death. She was an exceptional caregiver to both her parents and her in-laws. Mary was a baptized member of the Community of Christ Church. Mary was a loving and devoted wife. She was united in marriage to Robert Joe Moore, who preceded her in death in 1966. She was later united in marriage to Joseph Robert McHugh, who preceded her in death in 2010. Mary is survived by her 6 children – Andy J. Moore of Belleville, Angie J. (Joe) Janton of Little Rock, Arkansas, Allen J. Moore of Belleville, Alex J. McHugh of Omaha, Nebraska, Anita J. (Tom) Steinmann of Edwardsville, and Amy J. McHugh of Florissant, Missouri; 8 grandchildren – Cara, Jessa & Amanda Janton, Robert Moore, McKenna & Payton Crump-McHugh, and Marian & Josie Steinmann; and a great granddaughter – Lucy Janton. Mary was a graduate of Goreville High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Smith-Hughes Degree in Home Economics from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Mary was a life-long educator with a teaching career that spanned 49 years. She began teaching in the Vienna and Goreville School districts, taught in Corpus Christi, Texas, and she dedicated 43 years to the Belleville School District 118 where she primarily taught 5th and 6th grade at Franklin Elementary School. She considered herself fortunate to have had the opportunity to touch the lives of so many students and their families. She believed everyone was gifted and she had a knack for identifying and encouraging those gifts. Mary cherished her Franklin and District 118 colleagues. She often referred to them as the siblings she never had. Mary was a passionate community advocate and civic leader in Belleville. She had a vision of what her community could be and she worked tirelessly for positive growth and change. Her efforts earned her many accolades. Mary acknowledged these honors would not have been possible without the many quality people she worked shoulder to shoulder with to make her visions realities. Foremost, Mary adored her family. She was a dedicated softball coach, Scout Den Mother, speech coach, dance mom, costume maker and fine arts supporter. Most importantly, she was the biggest fan of and cheerleader for every activity held dear to her children and grandchildren. Near or far, Mary rarely missed an event or celebration involving her family. Not only was she there, she was there with “bells on”. Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. (Philippians 2:3-4) Job well done Mary! You will forever be loved. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 AM Thursday, July 24, 2014, at the Community of Christ (Webb) Church, 5170 Tunnel Hill, Road, Tunnel Hill, IL. Dr. Glenn Webb will officiate. Interment will be in the Webb Cemetery near Tunnel Hill. Visitation will be conducted Wednesday, July 23, 2014 from 5 PM – 9 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna and from 10 AM – 11 AM Thursday, July 24, 2014 at the church. A Belleville celebration honoring Mary will be announced. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Franklin Neighborhood Community Association, 308 North 2nd Street, Belleville, IL 62220; The Center For Racial Harmony, 207 North 2nd Street, Belleville, IL 62220; or to The Optimist’s Club of Belleville, P.O. Box 636, Belleville, IL 62222-0636; "Above all else, strive to be faithful to Christ's vision of the peaceable Kingdom of God on earth. Courageously challenge cultural, political and religious trends that are contrary to the reconciling and restoring purpose of God. Pursue Peace." Doctrine and Covenants 163:3b "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

Mary Lou McMahan McHugh

February 10, 1931 - July 18, 2014