Estella Hughes, beloved wife of the late Robert (Bob) Hughes, joined her husband in Heaven on June 10, 2015. She is survived by her children Cynthia (Steve) Sauter, David (Kim) Hughes, Pamela (Chuck) Patenaude, Kevin (Patricia) Hughes, Lisa (Bobby) Berge and John (Pamm) Hughes; and eighteen grandchildren, Rob, Matt, Doug, Kristen, Greg, Caitlin, Meghan, Jennifer, Eileen, Abigail, Christina, Brianna, Jack, Ashleigh, Ryan, Morgan, Nick, and Arianna.

Estella was born on Granite Street in Manchester, the youngest of eight children to loving parents who had found their way to Manchester from Ireland. Estella graduated from West High School and Mount Saint Mary College. She later earned her MEd from Salem State College as a reading specialist.

Estella and Bob started their life together on West Haven Road in Manchester. Those first years kicked off an adventure that took them to Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Detroit (twice), Syracuse, Topsfield, and many Bedford homes. Hundreds of homes were built by a new company that Bob and Estella formed, called Manor Homes Builders. The name came from the Irish phrase “to the Manor born.”

In her own words, we can honor Estella by remembering how much she loved life. She raised six children and she was so proud of all of them. Those children admired her great courage as she continued on after losing her loving husband. She was both strong and independent. Estella was “Mom” and “Gamma” to the end, never losing her ability to dispense wisdom and comfort.

Her family would like to thank her caregiver Laurie for her loving care and for making it possible for Estella to stay in her own home and live life on her terms, where she had her memories of Bob. In life she chased her dreams, catching every last one of them. She truly believed that happiness was not a pursuit; it is always waiting right around us. She has joined the one person who could, in all circumstances, through any heartbreak, and for all eternity, always make her smile, her husband Bob. For that, and for the joy, laughter, love and steady guiding hand, her family is forever grateful.

Calling hours at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., corner of North Street, Manchester, will be Friday from 5 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. in St. Raphael Church. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bedford.

Donations may be made in her memory to St. Raphael Parish, 103 Walker St., Manchester, NH 03102.

Go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.