Joan Donnelly McHugh, age 91, of Wilmington, Delaware passed away peacefully with loved ones by her side on Friday, June 27, 2025.
She was born and raised in West Chester, PA and is the daughter of the late Esther (Corcoran) and John Joseph Donnelly. Joan graduated from the former St. Agnes High School in 1951. She then earned a Bachelor’s degree from Immaculata College in Business.
In Joan’s younger years, she worked at the Dupont Company. Then, on a blind date, she met the love of her life, Robert McHugh, and married in 1960. From there, Joan’s life was raising her family in North Wilmington.
One of her other joys was her Irish culture. Joan was a member of the Irish Culture Club of Delaware, where she volunteered with her husband, especially on the annual Feis. Her daughters Irish danced competitively from an early age until young adults. With dancing and as a tourist Joan traveled to Ireland many times. She was a member of St. Mary Magdalen Church.
She was everyone’s grandma— warm, generous, and full of life. Friends were always family to her. She had an incredible memory and was sharp as a tack until the very end, always genuinely interested in the lives of others. She had impeccable style, never left the house without her makeup, and carried herself with grace and elegance. She loved a good party and a Hershey bar, and her grandkids were the joy of her life — they’ll tell you she made the best grilled cheese and gave the best back scratches. She encouraged and supported everyone, always giving gifts, compliments, and love freely. She brought energy, laughter, and kindness wherever she went. If you knew her, you loved her — and she made sure you knew she loved you too.
Her husband of 58 years Robert J. McHugh died in 2018. Joan is survived by her four children, Robert McHugh (Lorena), Sheila McHugh, John McHugh (Adela) and Tara Boyce (John); her daughter-in-law, Gigie McHugh; her grandchildren, Nicole (David), Christian (Sarah), Connell, Madden, Maura, Aislinn, Aidan, Anna, Sylvia, Laura, and Jorge; three great-grandchildren, Wesley, Oliver and Lucy Joan.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 2 from 6-8 pm at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike (Rt 202), Wilmington, DE. Additional parking will be available at the YMCA’s back parking lot, 3 Mt. Lebanon Rd, Wilmington.An additional viewing will be on Thursday, July 3, 9:45 to 10:45am, with a Eulogy to follow at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 7 Sharpley Rd., Wilmington, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am. Burial will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery, West Chester, PA.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
