Emelia (Em) Fontana Hughes passed away peacefully on April 6, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.  She was 98 years old.

Em was born in 1928, to Joseph and Victoria Fontana, in Meaderville, the Italian section of Butte, Montana. Emelia was the youngest of three children and in her early years enjoyed spending time with her Nonna and visiting her father's barber shop. Em was proud to be a Meaderville girl.

Em attended Holy Savior Grade School and Girls Central High School.  It was during her high school years when she met the love of her life, Tom Hughes.  They courted until Tom returned from the Navy and they were married on April 25, 1953.  Together they raised four girls, Vickie, Deb, Mary Pat and Lisa.

Before marriage Em moved to San Fransisco with her sister Columbina (Bina) where she studied window dressing.  The sisters enjoyed their California adventure until returning to Meaderville to care for family.  Em started her career as a window dresser where she thrived until deciding to have children.  She also worked at the PO Newsstand as an ad writer and then as a flower arranger at J&J Floral.  Beautiful flowers brought a smile to her face.

Throughout her life Em found joy in sewing and crocheting, making several holiday dresses for her girls and creating a beautiful wedding gown for Mary Pat.  Each of her grand and great grand children had a special blanket crocheted with love. Em also enjoyed reading, golfing listening to recordings of Broadway musicals and doing daily crossword puzzles over coffee and French bread toast. Without a doubt, she was happiest when with her family, for they were her greatest love.

Em was known for her patience and kindness.  Always rather shy, she was a great listener and never a fan of the spotlight.  Born with a caring spirit Em cared for her mother, sister and friends while ill.  Her Catholic faith was very important to her and helped her through many life challenges.  She and Tom were long time parishioners of St. John's.

A fond memory her girls share is Em's love for a flocked Christmas tree.  Each December Em looked forward to searching for the perfect Ponderosa Pine. Meanwhile Tom openly dreaded another yearly flocking fiasco.  After several bags of flock explosions, the "snow" covered tree would emerge and Em would get to work decorating with her glass beads and special ornaments.  Em's Christmas Trees were her pride and joy.

Em is survived by her four girls, Vickie (Sharon), Deb (Nick), Mary Pat (Mark) and Lisa (Scott), her five grandchildren, Luke (Brittany), Noah (Kara), Ashley (Rob), Rachel and Gavin and her nine great grandchildren, Hughson, Jackson, Liam, Reece, Quynn, Lyza, Chandler, Tel, Cal, #10 due in October and many loving nieces, nephews and friends who were all so good to her. Em was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Victoria, loving husband Tom, sister Columbina, and brother Louis.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation at St. Ann's Catholic Church on Thursday, April 16, at 10 am, with a Funeral mass at 11. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.  Please join the family for a reception at St. Ann's Hall after the cemetery.  In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Southwest Montana Aging and Disability Services in Butte or the Foothills Animal Shelter in Golden, CO.