Zada Fern Hughes, of Spokane, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 26, 2018, at the age of 92, with her son James at her side, after living a full and prosperous life. In the last year and a half of her life, James gave her the care, attention and love that is unparalleled.
Zada Fern always preferred and went by her middle name Fern, so I will refer to her as Fern, going forward.
Fern was born in Twisp on Dec. 6, 1925, to Earl and Abbie (Rader) Pidcock. She was the youngest of three children, preceded in death by her siblings, Adele Pidcock and Jeanne Howard. Fern’s maternal grandparents, George and Hily Ann (Barnhart) Rader, were among the earliest settlers in the Methow Valley.
Fern often recalled the wonderful life she had growing up in Twisp. The carved initials of Fern and her future husband, Ray Hughes, are still visible on the old Beaver Creek one-room schoolhouse. The family left the Methow when Fern was 14 years old. Even in her 90s, she still felt that Twisp was home. To be buried at Beaver Creek Cemetery, next to her sister Adele, has been her desire for many years.
Fern married Ray Hughes Jr. and they raised four children, Susan, Peggy, Ronald and James in Portland, Oregon. She is survived by her four children, son-in-law Mike Streicher, a very special niece Barbara Smith, eight grandkids, 19 great-grandkids and one great-great-grandkid. Her husband, Ray, passed away in 1994.
Fern worked most of her adult years for the U.S. Census Bureau, as field supervisor, eventually flying to every western state and even some remote work in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. She received numerous awards over the years and was an integral part of her department.
After retirement, she enjoyed bunco parties, casino trips, sewing, day trips with her friends, but most of all, time with her kids and grandkids.
Fern had a wonderful influence on anyone who touched her life. A most “Beloved Mother.”
Funeral services will be held at Beaver Creek Cemetery on Saturday, June 9, at 2 p.m.
