Todi Hughes (nee Rosemary Jackson)'s Obituary
A link to the service for the service can be found here: https://youtube.com/live/GT7C1rVpUZk?feature=share
Rosemary Elizabeth (Todi) Jackson Hughes of Kansas City, MO spent her life living within a mile of where she was raised at 54th and Forest. There, rooted along the Troost corridor in midtown, Todi nourished family, friends, and art for 98 years. Her talent for inspiring was legendary.
Todi engaged in and loved life. The only daughter of printer and promoter Frank Jackson (Jack-Bilt Printing) and Loretta Arvin, Todi was encouraged to be her unique self from a very young age. She wrote her first book at age 9, her second at age 12. Both were published by her father. Todi attended Notre Dame de Sion for 13 years. An international school, Sion further nurtured her creative energy, promoted self-reflection, and opened the world to her. There, Todi forged diverse friendships, became fluent in French, and learned to swim. She swam for more than 90 years and kept a daily journal for more than 50. Writing and swimming became her ways to inwardly focus on gratitude and how to navigate an ever-changing world. At age 7, Todi attended the opening of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. At first, the museum was a place to pause on her long walks home from school. Later, it was a place to volunteer in their Sales Gallery or as a museum docent, or simply take a walk. She knew the building and its collection like an old friend.
Always ready for an adventure, Todi wrote early on her piggy bank “Europe or Bust.” In 1947, after graduating from UC Berkeley, Todi set sail with sketchbook and paints for Paris. Europe was not yet open to tourists (World War II was still fresh), so Todi went as an art student. Returning to Kansas City as a revered portrait painter, she organized the revival of the Plaza Art Fair, fostering community through art.
Ever curious, Todi was passionate about news and politics, peace and the environment, art and community. With an infectious smile and the ability to talk on any subject (or learn a new one), she drew people to her, easily mixing people like she mixed paints. Her portraits crisscross the globe. She wrote that it was the one-on-one exchange with another that nourished her love of portraiture. A genuine interest in people allowed her to capture their essence on paper or canvas, with charcoal or paint. For more than 70 years, Todi volunteered her time sketching generations of people. The Sion Carnival (more than 50 years), Operation Breakthrough, and Buena Vista Studio were all favorite spots to find Todi with easel or art bench, enthusiastically dancing or conversing as she drew.
Todi married classic car enthusiast Marshall Hughes, Jr. in 1952. Five children (and several vintage cars) later, the Hughes house was a hub of creativity. Walls and ceilings were painted with magical animals; typewriters clicked at all hours; photos emerged from a makeshift darkroom; and the sounds of piano, drums, guitar, and violin could be heard throughout the neighborhood. With wit and optimism, Todi managed to encourage everyone to feel better about anything. Many took refuge in her home, benefitting from her upbeat way of seeing and living in this world. Todi and Marshall were married 27 years, until his death in 1979. Mastering forgiveness and patience, Todi transcended challenges. A mental health advocate and member of various book clubs, art groups, and spirited causes, her colorful personality kept her young. She enjoyed singing to the moon until her last couple of days.
Living in Rockhill for 68 years, Todi welcomed dozens of new neighbors with her famous cherry pie, a tidbit of Kansas City history or a sage idea. She strode through the neighborhood with her walking stick, and was delighted by children, animals and impromptu happy hours. During her last weeks, Todi received many letters and notes of gratitude from former and current children of the neighborhood, thanking her for encouraging and inspiring their own art, writing or ideas.
Smiling to the end, Todi died peacefully in her home. She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank Jackson and Loretta Arvin; her husband, William Marshall Hughes, Jr.; her eldest child, Heather Hughes (poet); and her beloved dog, Henry. She is survived by her children Holly Hughes (Charles Stegner), William M. Hughes III, Frank Hughes, and Laurel Hughes.
Thank you Todi for a life well lived. We honor you by spreading kindness, empowering others, and creating a better world, one smile at a time.We honor you by spreading kindness, empowering others, and creating a better world, one smile at a time. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to NAMI (www.Nami.org) or Notre Dame de Sion Lower School (www.ndsion.edu/grade-school), or a charity of your choice.
A celebration of life is being planned for 2 pm, Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Notre Dame de Sion Lower School, 3823 Locust, KC, MO, 64109. If you’d like, please bring a nonperishable offering for the St. James food pantry. Anyone with a Todi portrait or sketch who would like to bring it, please do!
A link to the service for the service can be found here: https://youtube.com/live/GT7C1rVpUZk?feature=share
Aquamation services by Hughes Funeral & Aquamation Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Friends and family can sign an online guestbook at www.HughesFuneralAlternatives.com
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