Selma Elizabeth Leyshon Hughes' Obituary
Selma Elizabeth Leyshon Hughes died 28 August 2023 after an exceptional life. She was born in Cardiff, Wales on 3 May 1926 to Digby and Vida Leyshon of the Graig, Pontypridd. Preceded in death by her only brother, Graham Trevor Leyshon, and her loving husband of 56 years, Nathaniel Hughes, she is survived by her three children - Richard (Deborah Hughes), Clare (Randy Gibson), Simon (Anita Hughes); eight grandchildren - David and Patrick Hughes, John McLane, Amanda Kingery, Cole Gibson, Marisela Almaraz, and David and Tony Peña; eighteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She leaves numerous relatives and friends here and in the U.K., including her beloved niece, Rhian Last (Howard), and nephew, Timothy Leyshon, who knew her as “Aunty Betty”.
Educated at Our Lady’s Convent School Cardiff and University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, where she received two external London University degrees in 1946. She worked as a statistician in the Ministry of Food London and The Southwestern Division of the National Coal Board Cardiff, 1946-1954. One year after meeting her husband on a train between London and Carmarthen, they were married in 1954. Residing in Cardiff, where the three children were born, the family then moved to Switzerland in 1964, and subsequently to the United States (Chicago, then Richardson). In these early years, she focused on her family and supporting her husband’s career.
Her further education was at the University of Illinois, where she received a teaching certificate in 1966, a M.Ed. in 1970 from Southern Methodist University, and a Ph.D. in 1974 from Texas Woman’s University.
She taught at SMU and then Texas A&M University, from which she retired as a tenured full professor in the Department of Psychology and Special Education after 24 years. Actively involved in the World Federation of Mental Health, she published numerous articles and participated in workshops at the World Congress in several countries. She was part of Mrs. Rosslyn Carter’s Mental Health Initiative.
A concerned and caring teacher, she loved learning, enjoyed traveling, and with her husband, returned to Wales every two years. She maintained memberships in various societies reflecting her diverse interests, including The English-Speaking Union, The Churchill Center, and the T.B.P.A (a British Heritage Society.) A woman of faith, she was actively involved in All Saints Church, spent time with her family and friends, and had a deep appreciation for the world in which she lived. She will be missed dearly by all who knew her.
Funeral service to be held at 11:00 am, Friday, 8 September 2023 at All Saints Catholic Church, 5231 Meadowcreek Drive Dallas, Texas 75248. Arrangements provided by Restland. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “Selma Hughes Memorial Library Fund” for All Saints Catholic Church c/o The Hughes Law Firm Trust Account 13280 Northwest Freeway No. F-400 Houston, Texas 77040.
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