Jamey Estelle Hughes, 50, Remembered for Her Compassion, Creativity, and Dedication to Children

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Jamey Estelle Hughes of McKinleyville, CA passed away on January 16, 2026 at the age of 50 from pancreatic cancer. Known by her friends and family as Estelle, she was born on August 3, 1975 in Weaverville, CA to Jody Proffitt Brown and Jake Waldt. She spent her early life in Weaverville, McKinleyville, and Shasta County before moving to Salyer, CA in her late teens. It was in Salyer that she met her future husband, Duncan Hughes. They were married in July of 1998 and welcomed their son Trevor the following year. Estelle loved motherhood and devoted her time to her son, while also taking up photography to capture memories of nature, family, weddings, and special occasions.

In 2003 her family moved to McKinleyville, where Estelle studied the art of Middle Eastern dance, performing in many shows throughout Humboldt, Trinity, and Shasta Counties. She also created beautiful, elaborate custom-beaded costumes as part of her art. Her home was her sanctuary, where she created a beautiful and bountiful garden of flowers and vegetables. She also found great joy in tending to her chickens and always had a dog or two to love on. She enjoyed inviting close friends and family for gatherings and delicious home-cooked meals. In 2011, the family welcomed son Cody into their home, adding another joy to her life. Estelle loved taking her children on hiking and camping trips to the surrounding beaches, rivers, and mountains, and enjoyed many outings with close friends and family.

During this time, Estelle found her love and passion in teaching and supporting children of the highest need. While working for over 11 years for the Humboldt County Office of Education, she also worked tirelessly to further her education. She received her Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education from College of the Redwoods in 2016, her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Child Development from Humboldt State University in 2019, and her Master of Arts as an Education Specialist in Early Childhood from California State University, Sacramento in 2024.

This is just a small part of a big life. The world, her community, and everyone she touched have lost an incredible sparkle. Estelle’s beauty and grace were outshined only by her intellect and compassion, and there will be a hole in our hearts forever.

She is survived by her husband, Duncan Hughes, and her sons, Trevor and Cody Hughes of McKinleyville; by her mother, Jody Proffitt Brown of Weaverville; her father, Jake Waldt of Salyer; her brothers, Joe Cloud (Nichole), Perry Cloud (Amanda), and Jacob Waldt (Bobbie); and her sisters, Cody Geminani (Damon) and Lark Waldt; her mother-in-law, Emily Arents; sisters-in-law, Leilani (Eddie) Cochran and Amelia (Scott) McKnight; her nieces and nephews, David and Troy Cloud, Amira and Nola Waldt, Madde Waldt, Darma and Dillon Geminani, Rebecca (Junior), Sefa and Tanu Alofaituli, and Zackary (Megan), Ashton, and McKenzie McKnight; and her aunts, Janet (Jock) Morrison and Jenni Flint.

The family offers a special thank you to the caregivers at the Providence St. Joseph Eureka Hematology/Oncology center and Hospice of Humboldt Palliative Care.

A celebration of life will be held on June 6^th 2026 at Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 24 Fellowship Way, Bayside, CA from 2 to 4pm, and memorial donations may be made to pancan.org.