Kathy Hughes, a native of Monterey, California, was a regular visitor to Key West for over 30 years. Widowed after 20 years of marriage, she raised 4 children and ran a very successful family business in Aptos, California. In 1987, Kathy married Gary Hughes and together they shared 9 children, 18 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. On one of their trips to Key West, Kathy and Gary met a fellow native of the Northern California Bay Area, the great Richard Crooks. The joy of listening to Richard play and watching him perform highlighted every visit. Friendships were formed that literally lasted lifetimes. Kathy passed away unexpectedly and beautifully on June 22, 2016, in the Monterey Bay village of Aptos. Her ashes were scattered there and on the ocean outside Louie's Backyard.