Miss Hughes dies Sunday morning; Much loved teacher suddenly passes away
Services were held on Monday, April 3, 1916, for the late Miss Elizabeth F. Hughes, supervising critic in the Department of Teaching, whose death occurred Sunday morning, April 2, 1916, at 8 o'clock. She was on duty in her office on Tuesday, was reported as not well enough for work Wednesday, and the physicians decided her recovery as hopeless on Friday. The shock that came to the faculty, students, and citizens from this announcement is rarely equaled because she had been so active, so resourceful, and so diligent that it never occurred even to those nearest her that her health was declining and that the end of service was so near. Her relationships with the College and with the people were all so good-spirited that everyone esteemed her character, her helpfulness, and her trustworthiness as a person and as an educator. Her place in the affection, the regard, and the appreciation of her associate teachers and her students was a notable one in every respect.
Miss Hughes came to the Iowa State Normal School as a student in the fall of 1888, entering as a graduate of the Eastern Iowa Normal School at Columbus Junction, after having studied there four years. She was granted the diploma of Master of Didactics on June 12, 1889. In 1908 the Iowa State Teachers College granted her the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Education for advanced work done at the College and for additional advanced work done at the Universities of Chicago, Berlin, and Iowa. She accepted her appointment as supervising critic in the Teaching Department in 1898 after having had experience in country school work, high school work, normal school work, and six years in the county superintendency of Louisa County, Iowa. She was a member of the Educational Board of Examiners of Iowa from 1894 to 1898 and by this rendered notable service to the state in the issuing of teacher certificates to competent persons. She was born in Llangyndierne, Wales, in 1861, came to the United States in May 1870, with her parents, remaining at Le Seure, Minnesota, for four years and then came to Columbus Junction where her father was the pastor of a Welsh Presbyterian church. A simple memorial service was held in the Auditorium at 1:15 PM Monday, April 3, 1916. Appreciative addresses were given by her pastor, Dr. D. W. Fahs, and by her associate in the department for may years, Professor Wilbur Bender of the University of Minnesota. The hymns for the occasion were sung by the professors of the Music Department, prayer by the Senior Professor, D. S. Wright, and reading of scripture by President H. H. Seerley.
Adapted from article in the College Eye, April 5, 1916, page 1.