Madonna Lee Hughes

Madonna Lee Hughes, 93, of Davenport, passed away, Monday, November 3, 2025 at Silvercrest.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00am, Friday, November 7, 2025 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Family will greet friends from 9:00am until the time of service. Memorials may be made to St. Croix Hospice. Burial will be in Fairmount Cemetery.

Madonna Lee Hughes is a woman whose life reflects faith, resilience, and boundless love. Born on November 15, 1931 in Davenport, Iowa, to Charles LeRoy and Evelyn Adrian during the Great Depression, she learned early the values of resourcefulness, hard work, and devotion.

On January 28, 1950, Madonna married the love of her life, Robert Francis Hughes. Together they raised nine children, building a home filled with faith, laughter, and enduring love. He preceded her in death.

After raising 9 children, she worked at Sears and later at the Rock Island Arsenal until her retirement in 1990, but her greatest vocation has always been her family. An accomplished seamstress, she sewed clothing for her children with care and skill. She mastered the arts of canning, gardening, and preparing meals—becoming especially adept at turning the wild game her husband brought home into hearty and flavorful dishes. Above all, Madonna has poured her energy, patience, and devotion into raising her children and supporting her grandchildren, creating a home that was always warm, welcoming, and full of love.

Faith has been the cornerstone of Madonna’s life. As a devout Catholic, she was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church where she was very active. She was a member of the Altar & Rosary Society, church choir, cleaning crew and was a founding member of the Fish Fry. She also enjoyed taking part in the bazaar.

Madonna also cherishes the gift of friendship. She is a loyal and thoughtful companion whose warmth and humor brighten every room. Her special and life long bond with her beloved "HEP CAT SUB DEBS" girls club friends is a testament to her generous spirit and her ability to nurture lasting connections within her community.

Bright and athletic in her youth, she had a love of reading, camping and fishing. She also volunteered countless hours with the Festival of Trees, Good Samaritan Society and taking food to others or giving them a ride to church. She found joy in playing and calling bingo and was very competitive. Madonna also had a love of travel. She visited many places leaving footprints across Austria, Ireland, England, Switzerland, Alaska, and Hawaii.

Most of all, her greatest joy is found in the company of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family, each of whom feels deeply cherished.

Those left to honor her memory include her children, Robert (Jennifer) Hughes, Patricia Paulsen, Thomas (Debra) Hughes, Charlie (Georgia) Hughes, Mary Mayo, Karen (Mike) Kershaw and Ralph (Annette) Hughes; 24 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and special family friend Leo Moench.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, children Daniel Hughes and Kathleen Sadler, and brother Robert Adrian and sister-in-law Patricia Adrian.