Erin Burke Hughes, Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Aunt, and friend passed away peacefully on December 24, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.  She was born August 10, 1927, a second-generation BOI, to Joseph Emmet Burke and Carrie Wilson Burke.  Both of her parents endured and survived the 1900 Storm.

Erin was born the youngest of 3 siblings, having an older sister, Lucile and brother Edwin.  Her youth was spent as a witness to history growing up in the years of the Great Depression, then spending her high school years during World War II.  She attended Rosenberg Elementary, Stephen F. Austin Junior High, and graduated from Ball High School in 1944.  After high school, she attended Sam Houston State Teachers College until she began working at the Santa Fe Railroad in Galveston. She developed her continuing love of travel as a young working girl, taking trips to New York City, San Francisco and National parks with her many good friends. Friendships she started in her school years and early career would remain treasured friends for life.

In November 1952, she married Harry C. Hughes, brother of her best friend, Elizabeth Hughes Nixon. She had 2 children:  Michael B. Hughes in 1953 and Jean Elizabeth Hughes in 1957 and spent the following years being a full time Mother then active Grandmother.  After her children graduated from college, she enjoyed part time work at the Bishops Palace and traveling throughout Europe and the Americas with her husband and friends.  She was happily married to Harry for 51 years until his death in 2004.

Erin was a proud lifelong member of Trinity Episcopal Church and possessed an unshakeable faith in the Church and its teaching. She loved entertaining and was always ready to host or attend a gathering of family and friends.  Erin would be in the middle of any party with a big smile. She taught her children, grandchildren, and extended family how to live by example and we all benefitted beyond measure from her wisdom, humor, and loving practical advice.  She remained cheerful and thankful to the Lord for her life and family.  She was a blessing to all who knew her and will always be remembered for her warmth, kindness and unconditional love and acceptance extended to all.

She is preceded in death by her husband Harry Hughes, parents Joseph E. and Carrie W. Burke, siblings Lucile Burke Cole and Edwin Burke, nephew Joseph Cole, and daughter-in-law, Dr. Nancy Hughes. Erin is survived by her two children, Mike and Jeannie; grandchildren Laura E. Hughes (Jimmy Watson), Katherine Hughes (Marissa Barnett) and Matthew Hughes; great-grandchildren Davis and Connor McDermott and Scott Hughes; and step great-grandchildren William and Lauren Watson.  She is also survived by nephew Robert W. Burke (Sue), nieces Kathy Burke Jeter (Mike) and Barbara Burke Born (Tim) and Suzanne Cole. Other surviving family members include sister-in-law Edie Weber Hughes, nieces Alice Nixon, Betsy Carrell (Mike), Jano Kelley (John), Dorothy Robinson (Rob), Anne Shepherd (Tom) and nephew Kley Hughes (Margie) as well as numerous great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews who she adored her entire life.

Erin's family members will receive visitors at Carnes Funeral Home on Thursday, January 11, from 5 pm to 7 pm.  A memorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Friday, January 12, 2024, at 2 pm.

Donations can be made in her memory to Trinity Episcopal Church, 2216 Ball, Galveston, TX 77550.