Obituary of Elizabeth Jane Hubbard

Elizabeth Jane (Master) Hubbard, Elizabeth Jane Hubbard died peacefully on December 28, 2015 with her family and church minister, John White, by her side at Notre Dame du Lac in Worcester, MA. She was the wife of Edwin L. Hubbard who died in 2009. They had been married for 59 years. She leaves her daughter, Mary Jane Sullivan and her husband, Mark, of Dudley, MA; her son, Richard K. Hubbard and his wife, Julia, of New Salem, MA; and her daughter, Catherine A. Eisenberg and her husband, Stephen, of Tyngsboro, MA; and her daughter, Barbara E. Frederick of Dudley. Elizabeth also leaves behind grandchildren: Timothy and Jonathan Basto; Kaylan Hubbard, Bethany Hubbard Foust (and her husband,Tom), Jenna Hubbard Karcher ( and her husband, Philipp); Edwin Eisenberg; and Adam, Claire, and Samuel Frederick, Devon Frederick Boulay ( and her husband, Andre), and great-grandchild, Pierce Boulay. She is survived by a brother, Carl L. Master and his wife, Carolyn of Virginia Beach, a sister, Mary Ringer of Arlington, VA, and by nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, John Master. Elizabeth was known as Liz (early years) and Betty. She was born May 10, 1928 in Franklin, PA, a daughter of Carl and Elizabeth (Miller) Master. She was a 1946 graduate of Oil City High School, Oil City, PA and a 1950 graduate of Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA. During her college years, she met Ed and they were married in Franklin, PA after college graduation. They lived their first married year together in Lowell, MA, relocated to Webster, MA and later moved permanently to Dudley, MA in 1957. Betty went back to school at age 41 and received a Masters degree in Religious Studies from Assumption College in 1973. Betty's greatest loves in her life were her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. She was happiest when surrounded by family especially during their holiday gatherings. The peaceful surroundings of her family home on Dudley Hill inspired her interest in bird watching and nature. Cape Cod, Rockywold-Deep Haven Camp (New Hampshire), Chautauqua (New York),Sanibel Island (Florida), Europe, and visiting relatives in Pennsylvania and Virginia were some of her favorite travel destinations. Betty and Ed were avid play goers, enjoyed Worcester Art Museum programs and attended Sunday afternoon Boston Symphony concerts. She was passionate in keeping up with world news and loved a good discussion. She had the Master "gift of gab" just like her father. A spiritual person, Betty's second "home" was within her church community. She joined the Dudley Congregational Church in 1965 and was active in its Bible study group, mentoring program, various committees, and at one time lead the youth group with Ed. She was a member of L'Apres Midi Club(Woodstock,CT) and the Dudley Conservation Commission. She learned chair Yoga and Tai Chi in later years. Betty was adjunct professor of biblical literature and world religions at Nichols College in Dudley from 1974 until retirement in 1989. She participated in the Institute of American Values there and with Ed was part of the college scene meeting many friends and students through special events, parties, and football games. Betty's last years were lived at Notre Dame du Lac in Worcester, MA. Her care there was compassionate and caring. She looked forward to family visits and loved being outside on Notre Dame's patio or side porches. There was nothing she liked better than to feel the sun on her face, to hear the English sparrows chirping nearby, and to see the colorful garden flowers. A private burial will be held on January 2, 2016 at 2:00 PM in the Corbin Cemetery, Corbin Road, Dudley, MA. A memorial service is scheduled for January 23, 2016 at 10 AM, First Congregational Church, 135 Center Road, Dudley Hill, Dudley, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Deacon's Fund, C/O the First Congregational Church.