PORTER — Margaret “Peg” Hughes, 85, of Porter, died Jan. 17, 2015, at Maine Medical Center in Portland after a brief illness.

She was born in Chicago, Illinois, on Jan. 3, 1931. She grew up in Beacon Hill, Massachusetts, and attended Stoneham High School. She also obtained an Associates degree from Hesser College in Manchester, N.H.

She married Donald Hughes in 1949, and they had four children: Robert, Russell, Donna and Jennifer. In the 1950s, she and Don moved to Boxford, Massachusetts, where she started a boarding and grooming business. She bred and showed poodles, English setters and Irish setters. The business continued to grow until her oldest son Robert took over in the 1970s. She was also a Boy Scout master during those years.

They moved to Islamorada, Florida, where she enjoyed sport fishing and obtained her captain’s license. During this time, they spent summers at their camp in Porter, a place she loved for years. She also passed on her love of horses, and bought each of her daughters a horse.

In 1976, she moved to East Parsonsfield and started a small gentleman’s farm. She had hunting dogs and more horses.

Peg was always very active in the community. She was a 4-H leader, showed horses, and did competitive trail for many years, and also worked for Dr. Con’s dentist office for many years. She opened her home and heart to several foster girls. She was a member of the American Legion and historical society.

Peg divorced in 1990. She retired to her summer camp in Porter and made it her home. This is where she met her life companion, Delmar Hussey. They enjoyed many years together at the pond.

She is predeceased by: a son, Robert Hughes, and an infant son, Russell Hughes.

Surviving are: her life partner, Delmar Hussey of Porter; two daughters, Donna Hughes of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Jennifer Eisenhower and husband Andy of Sanford; her granddaughter, Andrea Eisenhower and partner Ethan Stearns of Sanford; her horse, Kizzy; and two dogs, Cookie and Willie.

A celebration of life will be held 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at the Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple St., Cornish. Online condolences may be expressed at: www.wnyfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Sacopee Rescue, P.O. Box 367, Parsonsfield, ME 04047; or to an animal shelter or humane society of your choosing.