Newyddion

14/05/2025 00:00, I Mewn Blog /

I am saddened to inform you that Mona Hughes, former President of the Welsh Schools Athletics Association, passed away peacefully after a brief illness at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd on the 16th April at the grand old age of 97 years.

Mona was the beloved wife of Charlie Hughes, the former Championship Secretary, Treasurer and President of the Welsh Schools AA. She was the loving mother of Nesta, a devoted grandmother of Sarah and Maria and the proud great grandmother of Rhys.  She was also a very dear and caring sister to Dilwyn (Davies) who followed in his brother-in law's footsteps and took over the mantle of responsibilities in handling the financial affairs of the Association after Chalie's death.  It would appear that Schools athletics in Wales was very much engrained in the DNA of the family.

Mona was a student at the Normal College, Bangor in the late 1940s where she first met Charlie. Their relationship blossomed, they married soon after finishing their studies, spending almost their entire married life together in the family home in Roe Parc, St Asaph.

Mona spent her entire teaching career as an infants teacher, initially in Ysgol Cefnmeiridog and later in Ysgol Y Parc, Denbigh, a primary school situated opposite to where Charlie taught in the town's secondary school.  Suffice to say, they were almost inseparable and utterly devoted to each other.

Mona was the epitome of ‘Behind every great man is a great woman’.  She devoted much of her married life caring for her daughter Nesta and doting on her grandchildren as well as supporting Charlie in his various and numerous roles within the WSAA over a prolonged period of time.  She was an ever-present supporter and organiser behind the scenes on days of the association's national championships, helping to ensure that everything went to plan.  She fulfilled that role calmly and efficiently with tact and diplomacy.  In 2010, very much in recognition of her unfailing support for schools’ athletics in Wales, she was presented with the Meritorious Award for services to athletics in Wales by Welsh Athletics.

Mona was proud of Charlie's successes and achievements and equally thrilled and proud when he was awarded the MBE in the then Queen’s Honours list, for services to schools’ athletics in Wales.

However, although Charlie's passing in 1999 was a crushing blow for her, she continued to play an active role within the affairs of the Association and served as its President for many, many years thereafter.  It is somewhat ironic that her brother, Dilwyn (Davies) would become the Association’s Treasurer succeeding his brother-in-law, Charlie, in that responsible role, and often travelling with his sister, Mona, on journeys to and from various association meetings and functions around Wales" After some considerable time, they both vacated their respective roles within the association, finding it difficult to travel long distances as they grew older and with their health beginning to deteriorate.

Following Charlie's death, golf became an integral part of her life.  She played with others of the same age group who enjoyed their Tuesday afternoon games around the Denbigh Golf Club course.  However, these opportunities diminished in later years with the onset of Alzheimer's and Dementia which she bore with great courage and dignity - never complaining or asking 'Why me'.  Suffice to say she ran a good race.  Rest in peace Mona Hughes.

The funeral service, for those who wish to attend in commemoration and celebration of Mona’s life, will be held at St Asaph Parish Church next Monday, 19 May at 11 am, followed by committal at St Asaph Crematorium.

D. Allan Caughter

Life Member of the WSAA

Left to right David Ball, Gwilym Williams, Mona Hughes and Allan Caughter.

Mona Hughes was awarded the Welsh Athletics Meritorious Award in 2010.

Photo taken by Ian Dixon at the 2011 Aviva Welsh Schools Golden Celebration National Cross Country Championships.