Jayne McHugh

Jayne McHugh, born Jayne Gibson, was born on May 31, 1960, to Ben and Peggy Gibson in Arvada, CO. She was the youngest of three children. She attended Vanderhoof Elementary School and Drake Jr. High before attending Arvada West High School where she starred in multiple sports. She earned a scholarship to play volleyball at the University of the Pacific from 1978-1981 where she earned three All-America honors. She then went on to represent the United States of America in the 1988 Olympic Games. After her playing days, she continued to give back to the game that gave her so much in the form of coaching at all different levels and left a lasting impact on each and every young woman she coached in her career. She coached until her very last moments in this life. The night she passed, her volleyball team at Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch, CO won their fourth straight state championship. She held on to finish one final season and passed on November 15, 2025.

She married Thomas McHugh on March 17th, 1984, and they were married until Thomas passed in April of 2025. They have two children, Ryan, 35, and Jack, 33. Jayne will be remembered for being a fierce competitor on an off the court. Whether she was playing volleyball in the Olympics, playing bocce on the beach, or playing gin on long road trips, she always wanted to win. She was always humble in victory and defeat, and she will be remembered for that humility. Jayne was never the first to brag or boast about her accomplishments. Toward the end of her life, she frequently said that her most proud accomplishment in life was raising two children.

Jayne is survived by her two children, Ryan (Sofia) and Jack (Macki) as well as her older siblings, Patty, and Jim.

There will be a memorial service held Monday, January 5, 2026, at 11 o clock in the morning at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Centennial, CO followed by a reception at Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club in Aurora, CO.