Barbara E. Hubbard

HUBBARDSTON - Barbara Evelyn (Marean) Hubbard, age 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at the UMass Medical Center - Memorial Campus in Worcester. Barbara was born in Worcester, the daughter of the late John H. and Thelma E. (Allen) Marean.

A lifelong resident of Hubbardston, she will be lovingly missed by her husband, Robert L. Hubbard; with whom she celebrated 67 years of marriage in November 2022. She leaves four daughters, Carol J. Hubbard-Kelley and her husband, Mark of Hubbardston, June L. Hubbard-Ward and her husband, Francis of West Boylston, Nancy J. Hubbard and her husband, Matthew Hopkinson of Hubbardston, Mary J. Taylor and her husband, Wayne of Hubbardston; a sister, Susan C.M. Flagg and her husband, Paul of Hubbardston; 9 grandchildren, Robert (Tracy), Jason (Angie), Jonathan, Amy, Joseph, Robin, Abigail, Royce and Rose; 6 great-grandchildren, Jordan, Jackson, Layla, Lucy, Tristan, and Vera. Besides her parents, she is predeceased by her 2 brothers, David J. and Donald C. Marean.

Barbara graduated from Gardner High School, class of 1955, and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Clark University in Worcester. She worked in finance at UMass Medical Center, University Campus in Worcester for over 20 years. While at UMass, she volunteered to lead the employee fundraising program for the United Way Campaign.

Throughout her lifetime, Barbara was a dedicated volunteer in her community. She was the first woman elected to serve on the Hubbardston Select Board. During her tenure on the Board notably, she was instrumental in the acquisition and development of the Hubbardston Recreation Field, the construction of the Hubbardston House Elderly Apartments and the lease for the Comet Pond Town Beach.

Dedicated to education, Barbara served for many years on the Quabbin Regional School District School Committee and was instrumental in the successful Addition Renovation of the Hubbardston Elementary School. She served on the Building Committee for the Quabbin Regional High School Addition Renovation. She was also a member of several other boards, committees, and community programs.

She was devoted to the First Parish Unitarian Church of Hubbardston. She enjoyed attending the church services and served for many years on the Parish Committee. She was church Treasurer and worked diligently for the annual Christmas Fair and Nonesuch Street Fair Committees.

Barbara enjoyed spending time with all her family, traveling to the family lake house in New Hampshire as well as other family vacation homes at Queen Lake, Maine and Cape Cod. She loved to travel with her husband, Bobby. They were fortunate to enjoy a long retirement together and traveled every winter to Florida, throughout the United States, Canada and Great Britain.

A memorial service will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 11, at the First Parish Unitarian Church of Hubbardston, "On the Common", Hubbardston. Burial will take place privately at a later date at Rural Glen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Parish Unitarian Church of Hubbardston, P.O. Box 509, Hubbardston. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit the "Tribute Wall" on this page.