Obituary of Marianne Clare Hughes

Marianne Clare Hughes, age 57, of Houston, Texas passed away unexpectedly on Firday, January 7, 2011. Marianne was born in Denville, NJ and moved to Houston, TX in the early 1970's. She became a well-known and respected businesswoman in the Oil and Gas Industry for over 38 years, spending the majority of her career at The Coastal Corporation. Marianne was not only the first woman to serve as a Vice President at The Coastal Corporation, but was also the first to be elected to the Board of Directors of the New York Mercantile Exchange (1989-1995). Most recently, Marianne was with Tuscan Petreoleum Company. Marianne enjoyed playing golf, spending time with her family and friends and was an avid supporter of numerous charitable organizations such as the Carl McCain Foundation, the Rett Syndrome Foundation, and Pathfinder Village to name only a few. Preceded in death by her parents, the late Arthur and Mary Rose Hughes. Marianne is survived by her brother, Brian and wife Gloria of Lynchburg, VA.; brother, Jonathan and wife Emalyn of Jenks, OK; brother, Greg and wife Linda of Missouri City, TX.; brother, Ken and wife Mary-Ann of Lowell, MA.; sister Lisa Petr and husband Jim of Bixby, Ok.; and her beloved sister, Meg of Matawan, NJ. Marianne, or "Auntie", is also survived by seventeen nieces and nephews, eight great nieces and nephews, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral from the Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave. Denville, NJ , on Saturday Jan.15, 2011 at 9:00 AM for a 10:00 AM Liturgy of Christian Burial Mass at St. Mary's Church in Denville, NJ. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, Jan.14 from 5:00-8:00pm. Family and friends are invited to light a candle on our web page (www.normandean.com) in her memory. Donations are being accepted to the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF) via their website www.rettsyndrome.org or address P.O. Box 706143, Cincinnati, OH, 45270-6143