Lorna Hughes, Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS) general manager and wife of well-known South African wine legend Dave Hughes, has tragically died in a car accident which occurred on Friday, 26 August 2022.
Hughes, 64, was en route to the Kgalagadi transfrontier park with a long time friend and fellow former pilot David Shakeshaft, also of Stellenbosch, when the Land Rover they were driving in left the road and overturned, a few kilometres outside Calvinia. She died on scene shortly after the incident, Hughes’ son Jesse Roos said on Saturday.
“It was a two week holiday that Lorna and David had been planning for some time – and she was really looking forward to it,” he said. Shakeshaft sustained extensive injuries in the accident and, after receiving initial treatment in Calvinia, was airlifted by the South African Red Cross Air Mercy service to Christiaan Barnard hospital in Cape Town late on Friday night. Although still ventilated, his condition is currently stable.
A well-known advocate for animal welfare, Hughes got involved with the local shelter 12 years ago, initially as a part-time volunteer and board member before taking over as general manager 10 years ago. “It’s a credit to her hard work over the years that everyone at the shelter – although obviously extremely shocked and shaken by the news – will go on performing their duties to the best of their abilities. She taught us well and we’ll keep doing everything we can to honour her memory as well as serve the animals,” Jessica Perrins, head of fundraising and communications for AWSS, said.
Poignantly, she revealed that the evening before setting off on holiday, Hughes had reflected and said: “I’ve lived a good life.”
And she had: after leaving school she spent time in the South African Air Force, serving as a radar operator. That was just one of a variety of careers she had in a life lived large. Lorna worked in commercial fishing for a while, experienced the routine of a clerical job (something she didn’t enjoy), helped her first husband Paul Roos establish his business before becoming a full-time mom to her only son Jesse, while still finding time for competitive windsurfing and sailing.
A passion she shared with both her former husband and son was flying. It was at the Stellenbosch Flying Club that she got her wings and also met David Shakeshaft, a man recognised in his own right for organising the popular local air shows over the years. “Shakey” cut quite the figure striding around in his flying overalls, barking instructions on a handheld radio, keeping the respective air displays running on time while also manning the PA system.
Her husband of 21 years, Dave Hughes, fondly recalled her taking him for a very real aerobatic loop on their first flight together shortly after they’d met at the Devon Valley Hotel. At the time, Lorna ran her own grape farm and served as a viticultural and farming consultant to a number of Devon Valley grape growers.
“She was an amazing woman,” Hughes said, trawling through memories made over the years they spent together: hiking the Fish River Canyon and walking 750km through Spain on the famous Camino de Santiago in 2004, travelling to the United Kingdom with him when he still served as the chair of the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s judging panel, or visiting whisky distilleries in Scotland, from Islay to Skye to the Speyside. “Lorna loved to travel – and it was why she and Shakey were so looking forward to their time in Kgalagadi,” he said.
In recent years she had converted her land to organic vegetable cultivation and subsequently to an indigenous plant nursery, but her love of animals transcended it all. Known for stopping on the side of freeways to rescue strays Lorna took it one step further, studying towards a diploma in animal behaviour, a course which served her in good stead at AWSS.
Tributes written on the AWSS Facebook page announcing her untimely passing reflect the esteem in which she was held. Joanne Lefson and the team at Oscars Arc WOOF Project wrote that Lorna was an open-minded thinker “who made a proactive difference to shelter dogs; never failing to assist when needed, no matter the time”. They also described her as an inspiration, helping to house “countless numbers of homeless dogs”.
Unstinting in her knowledge and willingness to share her experience, Hughes was praised fulsomely. “The team at Oscars Arc salute your unrivalled contribution to shelter dogs – and all the lives positively impacted by having had the privilege of your presence and leadership. You leave us broken-hearted, but you also leave us inspired.”
A memorial service will be held at a later date still to be finalised and announced, Roos said. He asked that in lieu of flowers, those who knew Lorna make a donation to the Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch. “It’s what mom would have wanted.” If you're interested ind donating, please do so via the BackaBuddy page by clicking here HERE.
Messages of condolences to Lorna Hughes's family and friends
"Lorna was a selfless, caring person. The world is so much poorer today and she will be missed by many. Her love for life and animals was amazing. She always had time for you no matter how busy she was. She will be truly missed. My love and condolences to Dave, Jesse, Gudrun and her grandbabies. May she rest in peace." - Celia Galloway
"What a terrible loss. I can’t get it into my brain yet. Tragic. We will all miss her so." - Norma Ratcliffe
"Mandy and I are also devastated by this tragedy. Such a wonderful, caring woman who has been an incredible support to Dave and worked tirelessly for the disadvantaged animals in Stellenbosch. Thinking of Lorna, her family and all the animals that have been so dependent on her. HEARTBROKEN." - Jeremy Walker
"This is horrific news. Lorna was kind, generous with her time and talents and a very special person. Huge condolences to Dave, Fiona and to all Lorna’s many, many friends." - Cathy Marston
"How absolutely tragic. Paul and I send our heartfelt condolences to all who were especially close to her. Her sudden loss will take take some time to process. Deepest sympathy you dear Dave. May she Rest in Peace." - Nicky Wallace
"We are overwhelmed with this sad sad news of our beloved Lorna's tragic death. We are heartbroken. May she rest in peace with all her friends, 2 and 4 legged alike, who have gone before her." - Deborah Golden
Should anyone wish to share their memories of Lorna - please send them to editor@wine.co.za and we will add to this tribute.