Marilyn Hughes

Marilyn Hughes, beloved daughter, sister, mother, and friend, passed away suddenly in her home on October 26, 2023 in Decatur, GA at the age of 74.

Marilyn was born in Heidelberg, Germany on April 9, 1949 to Mary and Eric Hughes. She spent her earliest years alongside her family in post-war Germany until 1957 when her father, a new foreign service officer, was transferred back "stateside" to Washington D.C. Then in 1962 he was appointed as American Consul General to Belfast, Northern Ireland and the Hughes family packed their bags again, making another transatlantic move to Belfast. While in Ireland Marilyn assisted her mother in entertaining English royalty, heads of state, and high ranking govt. officials. In 1965, Eric was sent to Saigon, and Marilyn, along with her mother and sister, returned to the United States, settling in Whispering Pines, NC. That is where she graduated from Union Pines High School in 1967. Marilyn went on to High Point College where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in English in 1971.

She then began her first job in Washington D.C. working for U.S. News and World Report. Also while living in D.C., from 1973-1984, Marilyn worked as the Assistant Director of the Office of Special Events for the Smithsonian. There she was able to put into practice all she had learned from watching her mom entertain royalty and heads of state while living in Ireland. She developed a love for entertaining which she carried through her life, hosting dinners for family and friends, creating magical birthday parties for her daughter, and having neighbors over for drinks in the evening. She earned the Smithsonian Institution Outstanding Performance Award in both 1976 & 1978.

One of the highlights of her life was the birth of her daughter Maggie in 1982, after which Marilyn spent as much time as possible doing the one thing she enjoyed the most in life, being a mom. She even became certified as a Montessori Instructor and taught prekindergarten at Maggie's school. This enabled her to teach Maggie how to read at the age of 4 while the other children were taking their afternoon nap.

After moving to Decatur, GA in 1989, Marilyn began furthering her education and professional experience as she became a respected licensed professional counselor and psychotherapist, establishing a 30 year private practice, specializing in eating disorders, substance abuse, and mood disorders. She earned her Master of Science Degree in Community Counseling from GA State University in !991 and became a Licensed Professional Counselor with the State of Georgia in 1993. She began her career in mental health as a counselor and case manager for the inpatient adult eating disorder/ substance abuse program at Decatur Hospital from 1991 -1993. She went on to become the Assistant Program Director of that same unit from 1993-1995. After leaving Decatur Hospital she started her own outpatient eating disorder treatment program called Ladder to the Moon. She also created and directed her own recovery residence program for many years called Decatur Recovery Services, Inc. Marilyn finished her working years off with as a Patient Representative in the Emergency Room at Dekalb Medical Center from 2012-2015.

Marilyn had a love for animals, especially her rescue dogs, Hootie, Cricket, Taylor Swift and Mary Oliver, and her grand-dog Athena. Marilyn also enjoyed spending time outdoors, walking her dogs, gardening, and creating beautiful artwork. She had a love for travel and cherished the memories she made exploring new places with her daughter, Maggie. In 1997 and 1998, Marilyn completed the Bike Ride Across Georgia (B.R.A.G.) and the Bike Ride Accross Alabama (B.R.A.A.).

In 2010, Marilyn vowed as a sister in the Society of St. Anna the Prophet (SSAP), an Episcopal religious order of women over fifty who live a vowed life serving Christ beyond parish boundaries in elder care, pastoral outreach, worship and service. Marilyn was the Vicar of the St. Anna congregation at Arbor Terrace. At the time of her death, Marilyn was also serving on the Leadership Council as the Director of Provisionals and Novices. Until the burial, Marilyn's ashes will rest on the altar of the SSAP Chapter House.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Margaret Erena MacCoon and son-in-law, Wendell Wright of Loganville, her sister, Paddi Hughes Rollins and her husband C. Laney Rollins of North Carolina, a niece, Marian Rollins Ravel and her husband Jay Ravel of Albequerque, New Mexico, and her two beloved rescue dogs, Taylor Swift and Mary Oliver, and a host of former clients, friends, neighbors, and SSAP sisters. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her kindness, compassion, sense of humor, and unwavering love will never be forgotten. May she rest in peace, knowing that she made a positive impact on the lives of so many.

The Holy Eucharist and Liturgy for Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 17th at 11am at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 2889 Ponce de Leon Avenue, NE, Decatur, GA. Burial will be in the Memorial Garden of the church. There will be a reception after the liturgy in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made in memory of Marilyn to the Society of St. Anna the Prophet, 1655 Rainier Falls Drive, Atlanta, GA 30329 or online at www.annasisters.org.