It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the death of Reverend Mercedes Janet Hughes on October 15, 2025. Mercedes died after a prolonged illness, with the same grace that defined all her life’s endeavours

She is lovingly remembered by her children Carlton Bruce Gordon and Jessica Denise Gordon (Mar Hignett); her brother Carlton Banks Hughes (Ellen Ruth Zeisler); her nephew, Justin Fraser Burgess, and her ex-husband James Bruce Gordon. She will be deeply missed by her many friends and by the parishioners of the Lyons United Memorial Church, Gore Bay. Mercedes was predeceased by her parents Dorothy Hughes Porterfield and Clinton Boardman Hughes, stepfather Willard Merit Porterfield III, her sister Consuelo Anne Hughes, and nephew Colin Beauné Hughes.

Mercedes came to the vocation of ministry later in life, following many years of work as a banker, a stay at home parent, an educator, and an activity director working with persons with dementia. After graduating from Emmanuel College, University of Toronto, with a Master of Divinity, Mercedes was ordained by the Toronto Conference of the United Church of Canada in 2018. Open to God’s call and the guidance of Spirit, she served as the ordained minister at Lyon’s Memorial United Church. Mercedes was so grateful for the opportunity to serve, to learn, and to grow in faith on beautiful Manitoulin Island.

In accordance with her wishes, interment took place in a natural burial on October 20th, 2025, reflecting her lifelong commitments to service and her determination to leave the world gently, with hope and care for those who follow.

A special thank you to the staff at Lakeridge Health Hospital in Oshawa for their care and compassion.

A celebration of life is being held at Humbercrest United Church in Toronto, November 9th at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Plan International or a charity of your choice.