THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 1, 1995 TAG: 9509290163
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
Now that she is retired, Joan Hughes is busier than ever.
Both she and her husband, Charles F. Hughes Sr., volunteer at the VA Medical Center in Hampton.
``We play games, visit and escort wheelchair patients to appointments,'' Hughes said. ``I also make a monthly birthday calendar to put in the cafeteria.''
Hughes met her husband, a widower at the time, while he was doing volunteer work and she was working as a nurse at the Center.
``I had been single for 23 years,'' Hughes said, ``and I met him through a patient. His way of proposing was to put his house up for sale in Norfolk and move to Suffolk.''
Hughes was a volunteer instructor for a recent ``55 Alive'' mature driving class. The Suffolk Ruritans furnished the building, a projector for showing slides and refreshments.
``When people get older, their reflexes slow down,'' she said, ``and their eyesight and hearing diminish. Insurance companies give a reduction in rates to those who take the class.''
Hughes is also president of the Nansemond Gardens/Willowbrook Civic League and is responsible for writing ``The Garden Gazette,'' a monthly community newsletter.
``I wish more people would take part in the civic league,'' she said. ``We have a Halloween party for the kids and a Christmas door-decorating contest. We recently planted plants and put in new entrance markers in the area.''
Married for five years, the Hughes deliver Meals on Wheels to shut-ins from Obici Hospital. As members of the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society, they enjoy visiting various lighthouses throughout the United States.
Members of the Bible Baptist Church, the couple plans to travel to the Holy Land next year.
What brought you here? My daughter. Her husband was in the Navy.
Birth date/Hometown? March 10, 1929, in Oil City, Pa.
Fondest childhood memory? Growing up in a large family - five sisters, three brothers
Marital Status/Children? Second marriage - Seven children between us, 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren
Pets? ``Max,'' our dog
First job/Worst job? Stockroom of a department store; no worst job
If you had a choice, what other job would you choose? Private detective. I love to read detective magazines.
What's your favorite hangout? Home
Favorite night out on the town? Tides' baseball game
Favorite food/Drink? Steamed shrimp, Diet Rite soda
Favorite movies/TV show? ``On Golden Pond'' and ``Grumpy Old Men''/Rescue 911 and Most Wanted
Book you wish everyone would read? The Bible
Ideal Vacation? Travel to Alaska with my husband
I can't resist? Anything sweet
Few people know that I? Have a temper
Most embarrassing moment? In the seventh grade, I had the most boring teacher. One day, I was looking out the window when the teacher called my name. I never heard him. The kids had to call me. Years later, I met the teacher and told him how boring the class had been.
If you won the lottery, what would you do/buy? Travel, help my church and my children.
What is the best advice you've been given? Always do the best you can and help others
What's the best thing about yourself? Helping others
What achievements are you most proud of? Going back to school at age 40 and getting my license for practical nursing. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Charles Hughes watches as wife Joan is headed out the door to yet
another volunteer project.
by CNB