Ellen McBain Hubbe

Hubbe—Ellen McBain Hubbe, 97, on October 2, 2025, in Eugene, Ore. Ellen was born on March 21, 1928, to Anna Hansen and John McBain in Forest Grove, Ore. Her father was a master gardener from Scotland and her mother a nurse from Denmark. The family moved frequently, but most of Ellen’s school years were spent in Brooklyn, N.Y., where she received an outstanding public education. Ellen graduated from Brooklyn College. She loved growing up in culturally diverse Brooklyn among other children of immigrants. At the Dutch Reform Church where she sang in the choir, she met Gery Hubbe, whose singing voice first caught her attention. Ellen and Gery married in 1953, and began family life in Oakridge, Ore., where Gery worked for the U.S. Forest Service. They lived in various ranger stations until moving to Eugene in 1960, where they raised their four children, John, Sara, Lise, and Cameron.

Ellen and Gery began attending Eugene Meeting prior to moving to Eugene. Moving to town, they joined the meeting, and over the next 50-plus years Ellen and Gery helped to build the meeting community with other families, nurtured the children’s religious education, and served in multiple leadership roles in the local and regional Quaker network. Ellen was instrumental in bringing the Quaker Tapestry (Quaker history in needlework panels) to local and regional meetings. She had a lifelong interest in interfaith connections. After Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968, she organized members of the meeting to attend services at St. Mark CME church in West Eugene, out of concern for their grief.

Ellen was community minded and a natural organizer. When her youngest was in elementary school, Ellen created a job for herself as community school coordinator, where she connected children and parents with the broader community. She had a natural way with parents and founded a parent co-op pre-school that continued for many years.

Ellen and Gery traveled to Scotland, England, Denmark, and Germany, forging deep family connections that they maintained all their lives. As an only child of immigrant parents, Ellen treasured her relationships with cousins overseas.

Ellen and Gery found many ways to make community in addition to their involvement in Eugene Meeting. Ellen was a fabulous dancer, and she and Gery had great fun dancing with the Heather and Rose Scottish and English Country Dance group.

Ellen and Gery traded their “big house” in Eugene for a farm east of Albany, Ore., on which they partnered with daughter Lise on family-farm projects. Gery died in 2001. Ellen moved to SweetWell Farm for six years. SweetWell became family central for many holidays and celebrations. Lise and sister Sara continue to run the farm.

Into her 90s, Ellen continued her very active life in Eugene Meeting, where she served on committees, participated in the women’s group, and attended quarterly and yearly meeting sessions. Her wisdom and experience were sought after, and she mentored generations of Quakers.

During her last two years, Ellen resided at Evergreen Assisted Living, where she made new friends and connections. Friends frequently visited Ellen to sing together, hold worshipful silence, and continue to share their lives with each other.

Ellen was predeceased by her husband, Gery Hubbe.

She is survived by four children,  John, Sara, Lise, and Cameron; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.