Matilda A. ‘Tillie’ McHugh, avid golfer
Matilda A. McHugh, 83, died Friday, March 24, 2017, in Paoli, Pa., surrounded by her family.
Matilda, better known as Tillie, enjoyed retirement with her husband Bill in Rehoboth Beach. Prior to living in Rehoboth Beach, she raised her family in Basking Ridge, N.J. She was born on May 28, 1933, in Czechoslovakia to John and Emilia Juracek, and she grew up in Cranford, N.J, graduating from Cranford High School in 1951.
She started her career as a secretary with the FBI. However, Tillie happily spent the majority of her career as a successful realtor in Bernardsville, NJ., and was named Realtor of the Year. As a member of the Basking Ridge community, she volunteered at the Somerset Hills YMCA as a member of the board of directors, fundraising chair, and chairman of the Swim Team Parents Club. She was also president of the Welcome Wagon and president of Encore, an extension of Welcome Wagon. Additionally, she volunteered at St. James Church and School. In Rehoboth she was active with the Jean & Joan Cancer Fund as well as a board member of the Kings Creek Home Owners Association.
As a golf enthusiast, Tillie was the founding president of the Kings Creek Country Club Ladies Golf Association and the former president of DWGA. She successfully promoted women's golf at KKCC and throughout the state. When she wasn't on the golf course, Tillie spent her free time cooking, shopping, traveling and enjoying her family. Her interests included reading, watching classic movies, playing bridge, and an occasional trip to the local casino. Tillie was most proud of her loving family and was a deeply faithful Catholic. Family beach vacations and holidays brought her much joy, as she adored her 10 grandchildren. Our loss will be heaven's gain.
Tillie was predeceased by her loving husband of 56 years, William McHugh. She will be deeply missed by her four daughters, Noreen Kelly and her husband Tom of Basking Ridge, Moira McHugh and her husband Val Pryshchenko of Berwyn, Pa., Alicia Giacchino and her husband Chris of Bridgewater, Anne Marie Engel and her husband Dave of Mechanicsville, Va.; and by her son William McHugh Jr. of Basking Ridge. She is also survived by her brother John Juracek and his wife Leila of Baltimore, Md. She was the proud grandmother of 10 grandchildren: Caitlin, TJ, and Kevin Kelly, Katya Pryshchenko, Christina and Nicole Giacchino, Alexa, Mackenzie and William Engel, and Mia McHugh.
A Mass to celebrate her life will be held Saturday, April 1, at noon, at St. James Church in Basking Ridge. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Jean & Joan Cancer Fund in Lewes, or to AIM Academy in Conshohocken, Pa.
