Saratoga Springs, NY - Denise Hughes, 79, of Saratoga Springs, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away peacefully at Saratoga Hospital on Monday, December 30, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on August 12, 1945, the day WW II ended, in Salinas, California to the late 2nd Lt. Charles VanDorn and Ollie-Mae (Jones). Her father was serving as a pilot in the US Army Air-Corps at the time of her birth.

Denise moved to Texas early in her life with her mother. When she was just 9 years old, she got on a plane to spend the summer in Saratoga with her father, grandmother, Aunt, Uncle, and cousins. She flew from Dallas, Texas to NY's J. F. Kennedy airport when she stepped off the plane at Kennedy, there was her father in a brand-new car to pick her up he did not want to wait until she arrived in Albany. He had asked her what her favorite color was and purchased a car that was her favorite color. At the end of the summer Denise told her father she wanted to live in Saratoga, he made sure that happened. She often joked, that she did not like to travel too far from Saratoga, she loved it and never wanted to leave.

A 1963 graduate of Saratoga High School, where she met Mike Hughes, and while they dated for a period, Mike ended up leaving school and joining the US Army. While apart for 20 years they would often run into one another around Saratoga. In the fall of 1982 Mike walked into a local convenient store and there was Denise. They married in early spring of 1983; they could not wait to call family and friends to share they were back together after 20 years.

An avid athlete Denise enjoyed sports including basketball, baseball, archery, and high diving at the Swimming Pool Casino on Rt 9. She was a lifelong NY Yankees fan and absolutely loved horse racing. You could often find her and Mike at simulcast handicapping and betting races across the country. Denise started in 1993 as a pari-mutual for NYRA at Saratoga she returned each summer for almost 20 years. Denise was a stay-at-home mom for several years; she was an incredible seamstress and often helped supplement the family income by sewing seasonal wardrobes for folks in Saratoga. When she decided in 1981 to re-enter the workforce, she started her

Skidmore career as Secretary to the Director of Riding. This was the perfect job for her, as 2 of her children showed horses locally. Denise would move from the VanLennep Riding Center to the Saisselin Art Building where she would finish out her almost 30- year career as Secretary in the Department of Art & Art History retiring in December 2010. During her career she would pursue her artistic nature by taking college level classes with several of the Art Faculty homing in on her natural talents.

Denise enjoyed coaching little league baseball for years she loved the sport and every moment teaching young athletes all she knew about the game. She also was a motocross mom, often seen at local tracks while her son raced.

Her love of children carried over to any kid who crossed her life, whether a friend of one of her children or a Skidmore student away from home and missing their own family. She truly loved being a mom to everyone. As the children grew and moved out Denise and Mike added a few Jack Russell terriers to their family. Owning a total of 8 all together and as many as 5 of them at the same time one point. While she loved them all, Adirondack Dixie Chicks (Dixie) was her absolute favorite.

After retiring Denise and Mike traveled to Las Vegas and Florida. Their road-trips to Florida were adventurous and always good for some laughs among their children.

Denise is survived by her loving husband of almost 42 years Mike Hughes, her Children: Karen (Jerry) Squires of Greenwich, Michelle Hughes (Corey Bailey) of Wilton, Jimmy (Melissa) Bielkiewicz of Hermitage, TN, Tammy (Sean) Simm of Argyle, Charlie (Michelle) Bielkiewicz of Greenfield, Michael (Liz) Hughes of Jupiter, FL. Grandchildren: Kayla Youngblood of Greenwich, Lezzette Hughes of Whitehall, Mathew Bielkiewicz of Apache Junction, AZ, Cj Bielkiewicz of Leadville CO, Greg Scott of Easton, Alex Bielkiewicz of San Diego CA, Savannah Bielkiewicz of Glenville, Tyler Bielkiewicz of Apache Junction, AZ. 6 Great-Grandchildren, and dozens of cousins.

A celebration of Denise's life will be from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs NY 12866. Please dress in bright and colorful clothing, Denise loved fashion and was always in style for any event she attended.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of D2 at Saratoga Hospital, and everyone for their kindness towards Denise. To her home providers Annette and Cheryl for their dedication over the past 2 years that allowed her to remain home as long as possible.

Flowers and plants are appreciated, we encourage folks to pay it forward, to place a bet, or donate to your charity of choice in memory of Denise.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com