ALTAMONT — Margaret Everett Hughs, who showed her creativity in the pottery and dramatic jewelry she made, died on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, at Life Care Center in Keauhou, Hawai’i. She was 97.

She was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on Nov. 30, 1920 but lived half of her life in Central New York. She was an active volunteer in school functions, church, Girl Scouts, Home Bureau, and Fire Auxiliary.

In mid-life, she started a business, Jack Straw Ceramics, and found another outlet for her creativity as well as her teaching skills, giving classes to potters and painters while making her own unique pieces.

In the 1970s, she traveled alone across the country and discovered Native American art. She became an accomplished silversmith who cut and finished natural stones, creating dramatic jewelry pieces treasured by many. Her accomplishments included being an award-winning lapidary and self-proclaimed “rock hound.” She was a member and officer of the Central New York Gem and Mineral Society.

Before retiring, she was an emergency-room clerk and an operating-room clerk at Crouse Irving Hospital in Syracuse, New York. After retirement, she lived in Altamont at Brandle Woods, spending winters in Hawai’i and summers in Altamont with her daughter. At 90, she moved to live with her daughter in Kailua Kona, Hawai’i.

She is survived by sons the Rev. Leslie C. Hughs and his wife, Linda, and Ken R. Hughs; by her daughter, Kathy “Kate” H. Winter and Cirilo Rosario; by her five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Albany and Christ Church Episcopal in Kealakekua, Hawai’i. A memorial service will be held in Hawai'i on Sept. 29 with private dispersal of ashes.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Church Episcopal, 81-1004 Konawaena School Rd., Kealakekua, HI 96750.