Hattie Marie Hyman-Hughes
December 28, 1943 ~ June 29, 2023
Born in:
Opelouses, Louisiana
Resided in:
Fremont, California
Hattie Marie Hyman-Hughes creator of The Fremont Bank Foundation, and past Executive Vice President and Board Member of Fremont Bank in Fremont, California died of lymphoma complications on Thursday, June 29, 2023. Hattie will be remembered as a loving homemaker, advocate for philanthropy, and building relationships which would strengthen the community to improve the lives of others.
Hattie was born in Opelousas, LA on December 28, 1943 to Morris and Alvirda Hyman. She was the first of their three children. She is preceded in death by husband Dennis Hughes after 54 years of marriage, and son Paul Hughes who passed away at age 44.
As a graduate from San Jose State University with a degree in Recreation, she worked organizing youth camps, substitute teaching, and finding host families for Japanese exchange students before being recruited by her father to start The Fremont Bank Foundation. Her advocacy became instrumental in growing the Foundation to provide funding for the Hyman Hall at Ohlone College, the Alvirda Hyman Adult Education Center, the Conrad Anderson Auditorium and Morris Hyman Critical Care Pavillion at Washington Hospital, the George Silliman Aquatic Center in Newark, Fremont Bank Aqua Adventures Water Park in Fremont, Abode Services Bridgeway East Transitional Housing, the Fremont Bank Green at Cal State East Bay, the California Trail Grizzly Exhibit at the Oakland Zoo, and funding numerous other projects in the areas of health and human services, education, and the arts. The Foundation has won numerous awards and recognition as a top philanthropic organization in the San Francisco area under her stewardship. During her career, she started the Women’s Leadership Program at Fremont Bank to foster career advancement.
Hattie loved people and life. She sparkled anytime someone came to see her. Joy was brought to her when playing Bridge, Tetherball, Ping Pong, singing camp songs, attending Mardi Gras and pot lucks, or creating scrap books and crafts, but mostly she enjoyed shopping with her friends.
Hattie is survived by her loving son, Brian Hughes and his wife Theresa, granddaughter Heather Marie Hughes, beloved step-granddaughter Jessika Williamson, step-great grandchildren Isabella Gamboa and Joel Hawkins, Jr.; eldest surviving brother Alan Hyman and wife Sonja, niece Alexis Hyman-Stauffer and husband Matthew, great-nephews Nickolas and Alexander Stauffer, and Natalja Hyman-Correa and her husband Eduardo, great-niece Alanija Correa, and great-nephew Christijan Correa; and her surviving baby brother Howard Hyman and his wife Lisa, nephew Benjamin Hyman and his wife Lily.
For those who knew Hattie, a public Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00pm, Monday, July 17, 2023, at Harbor Light Church, 4760 Thornton Ave., Fremont, CA 94536. In honor of Hattie’s legacy, bold and colorful attire are welcome. The family requests remembrance contributions be made to Abode Services or the elephant program at the Oakland Zoo. For further information, please contact Berge-Pappas-Smith Chapel of the Angels Mortuary at (510) 656-1226.
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I had the honor of meeting Hattie Hyman-Hughes 15 years ago when I worked at Fremont Bank Central operations center in Hayward, She was my lunch partner at an awards luncheon. I had a great conversation . with her on various subjects she was very warm and kind and a great listener, I admired her very much and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
I have no doubt she enjoyed your company. She loved talking with new people. You’ve described what so many loved about her.
In all my years at the helm of Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation, working with Hattie was one of my greatest pleasures. I will never forget her warmth, kindness, and generosity. Whether at Top Hat and other charitable events in town, Hattie’s smile lit up the room (along with her beautiful jewelry, which she loved so much). Hattie’s charitable work with the Fremont Bank Foundation has contributed so much to Southern Alameda County and beyond. She will forever live in our hearts here at Washington Hospital.
Hattie was an inspiration to the group of managers who worked at Fremont Bank. She wanted the bank to realize the importance of the woman who were at the helm. She was the last of the Hyman siblings to go to work for the bank and that probably was one of the best decisions the bank made. She was perfectly suited to her role as head of the Fremont Bank Foundation, she wanted the bank to help non-profit organizations, which in turn helped the communities they served. She wanted me to compete on Survivor because she thought that I was tough enough to handle the physical challenges and I was a tough cookie. You know Howard and Alan, your sister was not only a warm and caring sister but she was a tough cookie too.. She wanted her brothers to proud of her as she was of the both of you. I know you were. I am and cannot say goodbye to Hattie because one day I hope to see her on the other side. May you rest in peace.