Ruthann Hughes

Ruthann Hughes aged 78, originally from Clifton and who spent over fifty years in Wayne died peacefully on Tuesday April 21st. “Ruthie” will be remembered as an incredibly generous, sharp-witted, and strong willed woman who touched the lives of countless people. She was a warrior in both her personal life and the lives of the people she championed by taking them in when they didn’t have anywhere else to go. She had a penchant for siding with the underdog and treated everyone equally no matter what walk of life they came from. As a Senior Investigator, serving Passaic County for 27 years investigating welfare clients, she was tough and very fair to the folks she needed to check up on, even forming friendships with some. She was principled and resolute when it came to fighting for what she believed to be right. Right or wrong, through a myriad of challenges she overcame, Ruthann lived life the way she wanted to live it.

She was a commanding presence in every room she ever walked into, people were drawn to her; she had a way of getting her point across that helped her manage to get things done. Nowhere was this gift more relevant than in the home she provided for her five children. From a seat on the end of the kitchen table, the rules and regulations were ordered amid makeup and a countless number of hot rollers that she used to style her tremendous head of hair before setting out to work. Ruth was the General and each of her kids had their daily responsibilities to keep the household running smoothly... well, sort of smoothly. Her largest sense of pride was in her finding a way to provide for her children, at times working second and third jobs to give them an opportunity to grow up having everything they could ever need. She spent many years breeding small dogs in her home to help make ends meet. She didn’t mind though, she absolutely adored those animals and had “helping hands” to shoulder the responsibilities of keeping the house in order. She instilled a work ethic in her kids that would allow them to thrive into productive members of society. By no means did she raise angels, but she certainly raised some pretty good people. Her “tough love” helped shaped the lives of three Paterson Firefighters and a High School teacher. Service to others was taught to them from a very young age, she was incredibly proud of the careers they chose.

Ruthann or “The Big R” as some of her kid’s friends would nickname her softened a bit after the traumatic, untimely death of her son Kevin at the age of 26. This tragedy devastated her because, for the first time there was no way to protect one of her most important treasures; the same way she tried to protect the rest of her kids until her last day on earth. Around the same time, a new nickname was born as she became “Grandy” for the first time. Her oldest Granddaughter was born a short time before her losing Kevin and so far there have been six more who she loved as fiercely as her own kids. She was immensely proud of her Grandchildren who are also flourishing in all of their endeavors. Each of them loving her right back using words like “indestructible”, “snazzy”, “heart of gold”, “stubborn” (in the best way possible), and “F#&*ing LEGEND” to describe her. Ruthie’s heart fluttered and she came to life each and every time she got to spend any time with her Grandkids. She gave them insights and advice on their parents and usually gifted them a “few bucks”. They all got a kick out of her affinity of being late to family functions and “Tardy” became another favorite description. Her watchful eye will certainly guide each of them as they go through life.

A colorful life on earth as come to an end, but make no mistake, Ruthann’s legacy will remain in the hearts of every single person she has ever known. In life she faced more heartache than any human should ever have to. Through it all, she endured with grace and dignity; she created a better life for her children and grandchildren and, in the end, that is truly all she ever set out to do. She’ll meet the angels waiting for her; her son Kevin, mother Ruth, father David, brothers Bobby and David, husband Tommy, as well as dear friends. They’re waiting up there for their new assignments. Ruthann leaves her sons Brian Burns and his wife Carrie of Wayne, Sean Burns and wife Pam of Lavallette, Kyle Hughes of Paterson, and daughter Erin Hughes of Wayne. Her legacy continues with Grandchildren; Shannon, Delaney, Mickey, Carleigh, Cassidy, Kevin, and Tommy.