Norlene Green Hughes

Norlene Green Hughes, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born December 18, 1935, in Bluffdale, Utah, to Sarah Phyllis Newbold and Lester Henry Green, and was raised with a deep love for family, faith, and service that stayed with her all her life. Her father died when she was just 13, leaving her mother to raise five children alone. Money was scarce, and the hard work and frugality of those early years shaped her for the rest of her life.

Norlene married the love of her life, Gary Harold Hughes, whom she met as a teenager at Jordan High School, home of the Beetdiggers. Late last year, they celebrated 70 years together, seven decades of building a life, raising a family, and growing old side by side. Gary passed away in February, and the family finds comfort knowing they are together again.

Together, Norlene and Gary raised five children, Randall (Jana), Ronda, Ryan (Jane), Rachelle (Al), and Michael (Mindy), and went on to become grandparents to 18 grandchildren and great-grandparents to 23. Norlene was endlessly generous, always ready to help, always the first to show up when someone needed her, and she loved nothing more than being with family, listening to music together, playing the piano, singing, or playing cards long into the night. She remembered every birthday and celebrated every milestone, no matter how small.

She spent her children's formative years residing in the Monument Park Stake, where she made many dear friends and shared wonderful experiences. She often said there was "no better place to raise my children," and she loved the view from her living room overlooking the entire Salt Lake Valley. Later in life, she returned closer to her childhood roots in Draper, where she found cherished neighbors and new friends.

She had a quick wit and a gift for finding the funny side of almost anything. People gravitated to her. She could strike up a conversation with anyone. She loved chocolate, a cold root beer, and never once passed up a new purse or piece of jewelry. She was a lifelong University of Utah fan, and she and her sister spent countless afternoons just driving around the valley, shopping, with nowhere in particular to be. And she loved dogs. Having had one by her side nearly her entire life, she treated the family pets as though they were one of her own kids.

She showed up. Ballgames, tennis matches, recitals, graduations, school assemblies: it didn't matter how small the event or how cold the bleachers. If one of her kids or grandkids was there, so was she, cheering them on, which she did literally thousands of times.

She and Gary started a family tradition of annual trips to Newport Beach and the Tetons, one their children and grandchildren still carry on more than 50 years later. Her annual "fishing pond" for all the grandkids at the Colter Bay tent cabins was anticipated and loved by all. She'd spend the entire previous year finding trinkets, toys, candy, and other treasures to be reeled in from over the curtain.

Norlene was a true American patriot. Surrounded from her earliest years by family members who served in the military, she carried deep pride in that long legacy of service, one that continues in her family to this day. She always taught her children to stand tall and put their hand over their heart when the American flag passed by.

A firm and lifetime believer in the gospel of Jesus Christ, Norlene read her scriptures daily and prayed each night, naming every child, in-law, grandchild, and great-grandchild by name. She served faithfully in several Relief Society and Primary presidencies and callings. Norlene and Gary served together on an inner-city mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She also volunteered on Temple Square, where dropping the pin at the front of the Tabernacle for visitors, to demonstrate the room's remarkable sound qualities, was one of her favorite things to do. Her children often referred to her as the greatest pin dropper of all time!

Norlene was also an avid journal writer. She often shared how she wanted to be remembered, in her own words:

"I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know He loves and cares for all of us. Next to my beloved husband, every child, grandchild, and great-grandchild have been my greatest joy. I would say to them: be fair, frugal, honest, and hard-working. Be happy, spiritual, fun, caring, and dependable. Pray and study the holy scriptures, and stay close to your Heavenly Father."

Norlene is preceded in death by her husband Gary, her mother Sarah Phyllis Newbold, her father Lester Henry Green, her sister Myrna Turner, her brother DeLaine Green, and granddaughters Alexy Hughes Marchant and Gracey Hughes.

She is survived by her brother Ray Green, her sister Vauna Curtis, her five children, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who will remember her kindness, her humor, and the light she brought into their lives.

We will miss her more than words can say.

The family greatly appreciates the tender, loving care provided by Mele and Nesi during her final months. Although she loved roses, in lieu of flowers, she'd much prefer you donate to your favorite charity.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 8 at 11:00 am at the South Mountain 1st Ward Chapel, 607 East Rocky Mountain Lane, Draper, UT 84020, with a viewing prior to the services from 9:30-10:45 am at the church. Interment, Bluffdale City Cemetery.

The funeral services will be streamed live at:
https://evt.live/norlene-hughes