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News & ArtsWednesday, September 12, 2012
City / Celeb / Theater Heather Artena Hughes
Posted by David Schmader on Wed, Sep 12, 2012 at 10:37 AM
- Gregory White
- Heather Hughes in Mae West's 'SEX,' Annex Theatre, 1999
Seattle and the world lost a most dazzling and beloved personage today, when, early this morning, after an extended battle with cancer and one day before her 45th birthday, Heather Artena Hughes passed away.
I got to know Heather during the '90s, when she was the glamorous center of a totally hot-shit fringe theater world I loved. I loved her work with the brilliant Kings Elephant Theatre, loved her work with Annex (see above), and loved her for being a totally gorgeous bombshell of a woman willing to use that totally gorgeous bombshellness in the service of deep, weird, hilarious, brilliant art. (That preceding linked photo is from Belltown's MATCH GAME, taken by Tim Silbaugh, courtesy of Nelson Heston Reilly.) In the Oughts, Heather and I would see each other out and about probably once a year, and it was always like no time had passed—kisses, hugs, hilarity. My thoughts go out to those who had Heather as part of their daily 21st-century lives—her family, dear friends, and beloved son; as you're all probably coming to understand, via the voluminous outpouring of love and affection on Facebook, this city loves the hell out of Heather Hughes. She will be so missed.
For now, here's our lady repping for Seattle in Cameron Crowe's Singles.
1
Rest in sweet beautiful glorious glamorous peace. I loved every minute of my time in Seattle in the 90's and you and Kings Elephant were a huge part of that joy.
Peace and comfort to your family and friends.
Peace and comfort to your family and friends.
2
I'll just post what I posted on FB: "Heather and I met ages ago while working together at the Pike Place Market. I was awestruck by her wit, smile, undeniable sexiness and infectious charm. Several years later we had a short-lived, but stunning relationship. Her body succumbed to the ravages of lung cancer on 9/12/12 due to three decades of cigarette smoking. The world is just a pinch less bright without her."
Fuck cancer and fuck the cigarettes that so often causes it. For those of you who still smoke, I know it's a really hard addiction to kick, but please consider doing what you need to do to stop. Smoking really does kill.
Fuck cancer and fuck the cigarettes that so often causes it. For those of you who still smoke, I know it's a really hard addiction to kick, but please consider doing what you need to do to stop. Smoking really does kill.
3
David,
Thank you SO, SO much for this!!!
You put into your words here, SO perfectly, the essence of how the rest of us are feeling today.
Our loss is heavens gain!
If I may, I share this poem that brought me comfort when I lost my dad in June:
Remember Me
To the living, I am gone
To the sorrowful, I will never return
To the angry, I was cheated
But to the happy, I am at peace
And to the faithful, I have never left
I cannot speak, but I can listen
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard
So as you stand upon the shore
Gazing at the beautiful sea, remember me
As you look in awe at a mighty forest
And in its grand majesty, remember me
Remember me in your hearts,
In your thoughts, and the memories of the
Times we loved, the times we cried,
the battle we fought and the times we laughed
For if you always think of me,
I will never have gone. (Heather really never will be gone!)
Anon
Thank you SO, SO much for this!!!
You put into your words here, SO perfectly, the essence of how the rest of us are feeling today.
Our loss is heavens gain!
If I may, I share this poem that brought me comfort when I lost my dad in June:
Remember Me
To the living, I am gone
To the sorrowful, I will never return
To the angry, I was cheated
But to the happy, I am at peace
And to the faithful, I have never left
I cannot speak, but I can listen
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard
So as you stand upon the shore
Gazing at the beautiful sea, remember me
As you look in awe at a mighty forest
And in its grand majesty, remember me
Remember me in your hearts,
In your thoughts, and the memories of the
Times we loved, the times we cried,
the battle we fought and the times we laughed
For if you always think of me,
I will never have gone. (Heather really never will be gone!)
Anon
6
Heather Artena Hughes, you were a star here on earth, now you are a star in heaven. You will always be in my heart, I love you - babe
7
It was impossible to not fall in love with Heather Hughes. Seattle is a lesser place without her. Those that knew and loved her are better people for it. Rest easy, superstar. Thank you for 20+ years of magic. I am gonna miss that smile.
8
She was such a part of Seattle, and someone who had the rare ability to brighten anyone's day. What a talent - she will be sorely missed.
And, @2, while I appreciate the whole "fuck cancer" thing, as well as genuine passion on the subject, I will NEVER understand what motivates a person to say shit like that immediately upon hearing of someone's passing. No matter your intent, it always, always comes across as blaming the dead person for their death.
Which, with smoking, may be fair, but fuck man, not at the funeral, you know?
And, @2, while I appreciate the whole "fuck cancer" thing, as well as genuine passion on the subject, I will NEVER understand what motivates a person to say shit like that immediately upon hearing of someone's passing. No matter your intent, it always, always comes across as blaming the dead person for their death.
Which, with smoking, may be fair, but fuck man, not at the funeral, you know?
9
She really was a lovely, lovely, person.
I suppose the universe decided it had better use of her elsewhere and that we'd gotten more than our fair share.
I suppose the universe decided it had better use of her elsewhere and that we'd gotten more than our fair share.
10
The 1980's would looked very different if I had not met Heather.
She was a kind friend, incredible performer. She had big hair in West Seattle back when it was cool. Witty and spontaneous, I will miss her, but mostly I will remember knowing her.
She was a kind friend, incredible performer. She had big hair in West Seattle back when it was cool. Witty and spontaneous, I will miss her, but mostly I will remember knowing her.
11
@8, Let us grieve however we see fit. I loved Heather, too. Very much. I support Daniel and he's entitled to his anger. I happen to know that his love for her is deep and genuine. I also happen to know that she supports his sentiment, as well.
Fuck cigarettes. They kill our friends and family. Please, take care of yourself.
Fuck cigarettes. They kill our friends and family. Please, take care of yourself.
12
I loved Heather. She was smart, funny and awesomely beautiful!
My favorite story about her was when another actor friend of mine was working with her, he said that the best part of the play was that he got to kiss heather.
She made a great pie and a great son.
Love
My favorite story about her was when another actor friend of mine was working with her, he said that the best part of the play was that he got to kiss heather.
She made a great pie and a great son.
Love
13
Oh fuck, now I'm crying, and I never cry. Heather was simply one of those rare, beautiful people whom no man, or woman, or child or pet for that matter, could not help but fall instantly in love with. Sexy,sassy, whip-smart, she was truly luminous.
So many shows at Annex, and after dropping off my personal radar for nearly a decade, so many drinks at The Rendezvous, each and every moment spent in her presence a gift.
Sail onward my beautiful friend, to whatever distant harbor offers you safe haven.
So many shows at Annex, and after dropping off my personal radar for nearly a decade, so many drinks at The Rendezvous, each and every moment spent in her presence a gift.
Sail onward my beautiful friend, to whatever distant harbor offers you safe haven.
15
She was hilarious and smart. Yes: beautiful, too-- enviably so. And cool. So fucking cool. But I'll miss her laugh, most of all.
16
Yes, great girl and will be missed. I worked alongside Heather at Pike Market as a day stall vendor and I gotta say----those long, cold days were way more fun if Heather was close by. She could really find the funny in everything. And open-minded, friendly, talented, beautiful don't even begin to regale her gifts. And a great performer---I think it must have been a King's Elephant or Annex performance where I saw her in a bunch of sketches---most notably when she was a gorgeous, stock still, painted white --- venus type statue----i think she may have moved eventually........loved and will be missed!
18
Hi:
I only knew Heather through her oldest sister, Mary Lynn. I think I last saw her as a high school junior when I was a substitute teacher in one of her classes. It is wonderful to see what kinds of exploits she was up to as an adult and the amount of love which people had for her. Seems it's a loss for those who knew her well and for us who won't get to know her at all. Peace to you all. "Big Ben"
I only knew Heather through her oldest sister, Mary Lynn. I think I last saw her as a high school junior when I was a substitute teacher in one of her classes. It is wonderful to see what kinds of exploits she was up to as an adult and the amount of love which people had for her. Seems it's a loss for those who knew her well and for us who won't get to know her at all. Peace to you all. "Big Ben"
19
I have known Heather for a very long time. We use to play Joan Jet on the juke box in the 7th or 8th grade Cascade Middle School in White Center WA. It was "I love rock N roll". I will always love Heather she is one of the greatest woman that I have ever known. It has been awhile sense we spoke so when I heard the news I haven't stopped crying ever sense. If there is a funeral, memorial or a celebration of her life please contact me at bam427bam@hotmail.com
20
Love you Heather. It has been so long since I have have seen you in person. I am sorry that we didn't meet again. Love you! Laura
21
I was fortunate to have worked with Heather in the day ~ she came to my studio ~ to work on "Vocal Techniques" that she could apply in her acting. Heather was brilliantly curious...and a joy to work with.
We share friends in common, so there were many occasions we would see one another, at a party, or at the market where we both worked....and being in creative circles...we would meet and re met on occasion.
What can I say, except...I see her smile in my minds' eye and I feel her wit when I think of her.
Thank you Heather, for touching my life. RIP
We share friends in common, so there were many occasions we would see one another, at a party, or at the market where we both worked....and being in creative circles...we would meet and re met on occasion.
What can I say, except...I see her smile in my minds' eye and I feel her wit when I think of her.
Thank you Heather, for touching my life. RIP
22
Heather and I worked together during the summer of 1994. She was the antidote to the confusion of returning to Seattle after a year in the UK. She'd unashamedly call her large cargo van "No Mister" and laugh in a way completely unique to her.
23
Heather was the best person I ever knew. I met her at Hamburger Mary's when it was on Broadway in the little mall next to the Jack in the box parking lot.
She was so beautiful it was hard not to talk to her. We became fast friends and I would sit in the restaurant all day joking with her during herand nobody cared not even the owners because it was so funny. Not just me mind you, she was so brilliant and funny she could bounce freestyle with anyone.
She had the biggest heart, she fed me when I was hungry and took care of me when i was ill so many times i can't count. I was not the only one. Heather would help anyone she could when ever she could.
I am happy that she was such a big part of Seattle and that so many people knew her and loved her. I am sad to hear of her passing so soon from this world, so young, too young.
Good bye my friend and thank you for being a true friend, I will miss you til I die.
She was so beautiful it was hard not to talk to her. We became fast friends and I would sit in the restaurant all day joking with her during herand nobody cared not even the owners because it was so funny. Not just me mind you, she was so brilliant and funny she could bounce freestyle with anyone.
She had the biggest heart, she fed me when I was hungry and took care of me when i was ill so many times i can't count. I was not the only one. Heather would help anyone she could when ever she could.
I am happy that she was such a big part of Seattle and that so many people knew her and loved her. I am sad to hear of her passing so soon from this world, so young, too young.
Good bye my friend and thank you for being a true friend, I will miss you til I die.
24
I only got to know Heather about one year ago while we were both in design school. She didn't reveal much about herself initially, but we became great school friends in short time. As all of the above people mentioned, she had a inherent charm and warmth not found in most people. I always looked forward to seeing her.
25
I only knew Heather for the past year while we were both at design school. Like everyone above has said, she was really one of the most vibrant and charming people I have ever met. She did not reveal much about her earlier life in Seattle in the 1990s, but some of the stories did come out - what a life! I, and I think that I can speak for everyone at BC Interior Design, she will really be missed.
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