she became the oldest person in the united kingdom when scotland's kate begbie died in 1988, and broke the national longevity record, held until then by anna eliza williams, in early-1992. hughes lived in her own home in marske-by-the-sea until 1991, when she moved to a nursing home in redcar due to her becoming too frail to look after herself. she also spent her final years in a wheelchair, though she remained mentally alert and sharp to the end of her life. she was described by relatives as "extremely domineering, outspoken, and sharp; but also as friendly and witty."