Mum met Dad, Marshall Hughes, through his sister Jean, whilst working in Leamington Spa, England.
Betty and Marshall dated for a few months, then one day they decided to get married. The wedding took place on Boxing Day, December 26th, 1950. Over the next 10 years Mum gave birth to eight children, six boys and two girls.
We all moved into a Housing Commission home in Broadmeadows in September 1968.
Mum worked at various jobs over the years, she was never out of work until she retired.
In December 1971, Mum and Dad bought a new house in Sunshine West.
Over the next few years, a few of us got married and had a few kids between us. Mum had numerous Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and even a Great, Great, Granddaughter. When Evaleigh was born, 3 years ago, Mum was very excited and happy to have a very rare five generations of girls.
LR GGGD Evaleigh, GD Kimberley, GGD Lisa, D Hazel, Matriarch Betty
Dad passed away in September 1983.
Mum sold the house in Sunshine West, moved to Wyndhamvale for couple of years, then moved to Braybrook for a few years.
In 2001 Mum bought her new home on a very busy and hectic road in Werribee, just down from a busy Fire Station and a very busy and popular Shopping Plaza. Having brought up eight kids and worked hard all her life, she just loved the quiet life!
It was a very sad day on 30th December 2011. Mum’s youngest son Bill passed away from a Heart attack, the day after his 51st birthday.
On the 1st of March 2017 it would be 50 years since our original Hughes family of 10 arrived in Australia. We arranged to have a get together of the eight of us that were left, plus any partners and kids that had come along, Betty’s family and that original 10, now a mob of hundreds, had a great day celebrating at Bacchus Marsh.
Mum was getting on in years and her health started to deteriorate. You know, the usual stuff, aches and pains, deafness, blindness, Angina/Heart attacks, Diabetes, Big Toe, Little Toe trouble. Everything.
Later in 2017 and again for the next few years, Mum had a few nasty times in Hospital. Each time we feared the worst but, luckily, she pulled through.
Again in 2017, on the 14th September, Mum’s first and eldest son passed away from Pancreatic cancer. Mum had to bury a second child.
Mum was getting older and becoming dangerous, not only to herself, but everyone she nearly ran over on her Mobility Scooter. On the footpaths, around the shopping plaza. We told her she was dangerous, she said it was okay, because everyone got out of her way. Funny that.
Her eyesight and hearing were getting worse and much to Mum’s disgust it was decided she should go into a Nursing Home. Well, she didn’t like that idea, but she agreed to go in for a couple of weeks respite.
She hated it, nobody liked her, they treated her badly, her clothes were being stolen. The staff kept hiding stuff.
But we all knew Mum pretty well, and most of her issues were pretty much sorted straight away. Most of her stuff was found in a different draw.
She said, “I think it’s because I am only temporary, they look after the Permanent Clients much better”. Some of us suggested, why not try going in permanently for a while to see if she was treated better.
Good idea. She was running the place within a week.
I will always remember my Mum as hard working, a figure of strength, a beautiful singer, and the best Mum of all.
It has been an honour and a privilege to tell “Her Story”.
Phil Hughes
March 2024