Geralyn Gigoux Hughes

Geralyn Gigoux Hughes, age 86, died on June 22, 2014. She died peacefully in her sleep at home, surrounded by her family and the art she loved so much. She was born in Enid, OK to Guy and Marguerite Gigoux on May 7, 1928. She moved to Oklahoma City in 1953 where she remained until her death. She grew up in Carrier, OK and graduated from Carrier High School in 1946. She attended Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater, OK, where she was a member of the Symphonic Choir, Opera Club, First Presbyterian Chancel Choir and a director of the A&M College Choir. She married Frederick Collins in 1949. From that union, her sons Christopher James and Gregory Guy Collins were born. In 1995, after 22 years of dating, she married her best friend and the love of her life, Dr. William L. Hughes, in Craig's South Cove Harbor, Alaska. She became a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1954 and began her practice at Deaconess Hospital, followed by Presbyterian Hospital. She served as an office nurse to both the late Dr. Gerald Beasley and Dr. Ted Clemens, Jr. In 1963, she became a nurse and office manager for her late husband, Dr. Hughes, who practiced Internal Medicine/Hematology-Oncology, in Oklahoma City. Geralyn worked with her husband for 35 years until their retirement in 1997. A cancer survivor herself, she and her husband devoted many years to caring for, and staying involved with, their cancer patients. For the comfort of their patients, they were the first in Oklahoma City to decorate their offices like a home, filling them with many of their prized pieces of art. Geralyn's community and philanthropic interests and contributions included the Oklahoma Philharmonic, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Western Heritage Museum and the American Indian Museum. She was an avid collector of western and Indian art. She and her husband established the art program at Presbyterian Hospital, introducing many local artists to the public with daily art exhibits on the concourse, monthly hangings of their work on the "yellow wall" and an annual "Evening of Art". In 1985, she and her husband received the Governor's Community Service Art Award for their volunteer efforts. She was also an active volunteer with the Rape Crisis Center, Contact, the Municipal Court Probation Program, Planned Parenthood, the Oklahoma Medical Alliance, the Community Immunization Program and the Republican Party, and was a long-time member of Gaillardia Country Club. She was an accomplished vocalist, placing first division at the Tri-State Band Festival in Enid, OK. She was a member of the Westminster Church Chancel Choir for over 20 years. Her most memorable music experience was being a member of the Oklahoma Symphony Choir, and singing under the direction of Guy Frazier Harrison. She is survived by her son, Christopher Collins and wife Amy of Edmond; son, Gregory Guy Collins and his wife Rebecca of OKC; five grandchildren, Kjelshus and his wife Andrea, Ari, Kelly and Caroline Collins and Jack Wagner; brother, Jim and his wife Mary of Sacramento, CA; her extended family Stanley and Hilary Hughes Young of Austin, TX; Tod and Leslie Hughes Hardin of OKC; David Hughes of OKC; grandchildren Ryan, Blair and Hannah Hughes and Katie Hardin; great grandchildren Zoe, Max and Vigo; many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and former patients. A private memorial service and reception will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. at her home for family, friends, colleagues and patients to remember and celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, she requested that tributes be made to the Sisters of Mercy or Mercy Hospice, 4300 W. Memorial Road, OKC 73120, or to a charity of choice. The family wishes to thank Geralyn's tireless and devoted caregivers, Joyce Silvia, Azucena Castillo and Mercy Hospice.