Judy Hughes of Northbrook, 81, the longtime president of the Northbrook Historical Society and a fixture in Northbrook community life, died on Dec. 27.
“She had a heart of gold,” said Michael Hughes of his wife of 63 years. He noted that Judy Hughes was active in many Northbrook organizations, but he considers “raising our children” as her number one achievement. The couple has three children and five grandchildren.
“It’s hard to put into words what Judy meant to Northbrook because she was all of Northbrook,” said Cheryl Fayne-Depersio. “She touched so many people in so many ways with
her professionalism, her leadership, and her friendship.”
Fayne-Depersio said that she first met Hughes when she was heading the Northbrook Centennial Committee, and had many interactions with Hughes during Fayne-Depersio’s 30 years as communications manager for the Village of Northbrook.
“I can’t remember not knowing her because she was a big part of my life professionally,” Fayne-Depersio said. “She was a great mentor and a great friend. She created so many magical
moments in Northbrook and magical moments in our friendship, too.”
The pair even traveled together to San Antonio, Texas, to accept a national award for a video they created for the Centennial. “We were a good team—with her leadership,” Fayne-Depersio
said.
They also worked together when Hughes was head of the Northbrook Arts Commission.
“With her guidance, we were able to get the Commission going and establish the Northbrook Friends of the Arts, which was a nonprofit organization,” Fayne-Depersio said.
“This little window behind me is our window to the world of Northbrook,” said the late Judy Hughes of Northbrook, Northbrook Historical Society president, seated in the society’s building at Village Green Park in this 2022 photo. “We get to see everything in the park and the people that use it all year long. I just love this place and I love the people in it.” Images from Shermerfest at Village Green Park on Sept. 18, 2022 in Northbrook.
One of Hughes’ longest commitments was to the Northbrook Historical Society.
Dan Kaye, a member of the Northbrook Historical Society Board since 2000, wrote about Hughes’ service to that organization for the Society’s website.
He noted that Hughes joined the board of directors in 1995 and served as president from 1999 until her death.
He was impressed with her fiscal responsibility. “When helping to formulate a Society budget each year, she always aimed to overestimate expenses and underestimate income,” he praised.
Kaye was also impressed with Hughes’ interactions with visitors.
He wrote, “Despite all the challenges involved with leading the all-volunteer organization, one of Judy’s greatest pleasures was simply being at the History Museum on a Sunday afternoon when visitors would drop in and end up giving her a chance to learn about them and their Northbrook connections just by listening.”
From left, Judy Hughes of Northbrook receives a certificate and Key to the Village from Northbrook Village President Kathryn Ciesla during the board meeting on March 14, 2023 at Northbrook Village Hall.
During a phone conversation, Kaye further praised Hughes, saying, “Judy was amazing in many, many ways. She had this amazing recall ability about Northbrook history and families. She was so knowledgeable about the past but she was always looking to the future for the Historical Society, too.” That included encouraging young people to get involved.
Northbrook resident Terry Luc worked with Hughes, scanning hundreds of priceless images from the Northbrook Historical Society for “Northbrook,” an “Images of America” book that was published in 2008 by Arcadia Publishing.
“Her footprint is all over Northbrook,” Luc said of Hughes. “She was so dedicated to everything Northbrook. She will really be missed.”
Hughes was considered such a community champion that at the March 14, 2023 Village Board meeting, she was given a key to the village. Her many contributions to Northbrook were cited during the ceremony, including her 14 years serving on the District 28 School Board, including six as Board president.
Michael Hughes reported that there will be a celebration of life in memory of his wife at 10 a.m. Jan. 17 at the Northbrook Covenant Church, 2737 Techny Rd., Northbrook.
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.