Miriam passed away peacefully on January 15, 2020 in Victoria, B.C. The last of her Carter family’s generation. She was predeceased by her loving and greatly missed husband Bill Hughes, her parents Harold and Margaret Carter, brothers Harry (Anne), Jack (Laura), and sister Margaret Ruth Eccles (Jack). Survived by son Lockie and granddaughters Jessica (Dan), Amy and son Roderick (Barbara) and granddaughters Diana (Larry) and Victoria (Anton) as well as five great grandchildren Owen, Thea, Teagan Rushfeldt, Madison and Colton Millett. Miriam is also survived by two sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews across Canada.
Miriam was born in Alberni, BC on August 13 , 1931 and raised there until leaving to attend Crofton House School in Vancouver, and for a short time UBC. When home from Vancouver, she happened to meet a dashing young RCN officer who was visiting Alberni aboard the cruiser HMCS Ontario. Miriam and Bill were married September 22, 1951, and that is when the voyage of adventure began. Embracing the wayfaring naval family life, Miriam set up homes and made many friends wherever they ended up living recurrently in Victoria BC, Halifax NS, Kingston and Ottawa ON, and London UK, and upon Bill’s retirement near Georgetown in the Bahamas.
Miriam loved to meet people and learn about their lives. She had friends that she corresponded with right across Canada, and internationally from as far away as Sweden and New Zealand. Miriam also cherished her large naval family. She loved going with Bill to naval parties and ceremonies, she enjoyed chatting with her friends during bridge games, and the banter during sherry parties while the husbands were away at sea. Miriam was immersed in that family all her adult life and until her passing, her best friends were still from that life-long connection.
Miriam’s family would like to thank both the staff of Carlton House and Sunrise of Victoria for making her last few years so enjoyable. They also thank the staff of both the Royal Jubilee and Victoria General Hospitals, and her doctors for their assistance and professionalism in assisting Miriam over the last difficult year.
A Church Service for Miriam will be held at St. Peter and St. Paul’s Naval and Garrison Church, 1379 Esquimalt Road on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at 11 am, with a reception to follow at the CFB Esquimalt Wardroom from noon to 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in her memory may be made to the Naval Associations of Canada’s Endowment Fund, or St. Peter and St. Paul’s Naval and Garrison church in Esquimalt.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Norma Towler
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Rod Hughes To everyone who posted a message I very much appreciate it. I love the note from the Bahamas, I was wondering how I was going to get the word to you. 🙂 Mum had many friends and she really enjoyed their company and learning about their lives. I’m just finishing up the arrangements to have Mum join Dad at God’s Acre the Veteran’s Cemetary in Esquimalt. Thank you all.
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Warren Bullard To Roderick Hughes and Family
On behalf of Me and My Family I would like to convey my condolences to you on the loss of your Mother. Mrs. Hughes was a Dear friend of my late Grandmother Katherina Rachel Saunders from the Ferry Little Exuma Bahamas. She would always send my Grandmother a Birthday Card every year for her birthday thus showing her kind ways and Grammy always mentioned how she cherished her friendship with your Dad and Mom as a result of their visits to Exuma. Once again my sincere condolences on the loss of your Mother. May Her Soul Rest In Peace!!!!
Warren Bullard & Family
Nassau, Bahamas
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Mehgan Cabrera Rod, Victoria and family….
Miriam Hughes was one of a kind! I was blessed to meet Miriam through our connections to Royal Roads Military College and now Royal Roads University where I work today. Miriam and I first connected over her desire to share her husband’s journal and memorabilia with our archivist. From our first meeting, I knew I had met a kindred spirit full of spunk and vigor for life, she most certainly ranks in the spitfire category as I shared with you earlier today Rod. Miriam later introduced a few of us from Royal Roads to her beloved granddaughter Victoria (Bunny) and dear friends the Campbells.
Life is short and fleeting, and one thing I learned from Miriam is that if you are going to live, live well, make meaningful connections, keep your story alive by sharing it, and be willing to give from your heart with a purpose. After one of our first meetings, I received a gift from Miriam- a new lip color one of her favorites- Pink Vibrations colour from Elizabeth Arden. I feel blessed to have met this incredbile woman who lived a full life, with purpose and vitality. Her vibrancy and appreciation for her journey with her beloved husband Bill, will be an experience I will forever cherish.
I feel grateful to have met you Miriam!!
Warmest Regards,
Mehgan Cabrera
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Peggy Routh I’m so glad I got to know Miriam at Carlton House. She is missed. I promise to take care of your black cane and use it with grace and style when the time comes to use it regularly. Thank you for your friendship
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Pam Van Allen Rod, My condolences to you and all your family on the loss of your mother. Last April I enjoyed meeting you when you brought Miriam over to Diana’s for our get-together. I didn’t realize at the time that her health was not the best. I met Miriam such a short time ago, in 2010, when my husband and I went to Victoria for a UNTD reunion. I met both your dad and Miriam at that time, and she has been a wonderful long-distance friend ever since. I will definitely miss her. Please accept my sincere sympathy. Pam
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Bob and Judith Clarke To the Hughes Family,
We send our deepest condolences on the passing of Miriam, and although we had only known her for about 10 years, we enjoyed her friendship. She will be sadly missed, not only by us but the Church community at St. Peter and St. Paul.
Sincerely Bob and Judith Clarke
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Seona Stephen Dear Rod: It is with heartfelt condolences that we have learned of your mother’s passing. Mrs. Hughes was a great asset to Carlton House. Her love of people, and her willingness to “call it as it was” was greatly appreciated. We had many fun conversations over the years that we knew her, often about her travels with your father, Bill, and their naval experiences. Our sincere sympathy goes out to the entire family.
Sincerely,
Seona and John Stephen.
Dear Rod, I am thrilled to read all the wonderful comments made by Mariah