Jean Merritt Hubbard of Farmingdale died on April 26, 2017 at the age of 97. Beloved wife of the late Andre Hubbard. Dear sister of the late Jessica Griffiths. Fond sister-in-law of Nancy Law and the late Barbara Hubbard. Loving mother of Alan, the late Thomas, David (Allison) and Nathaniel (Nora) Hubbard. She is survived by eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Jean Merritt was the descendant of Quaker Thomas Powell, who purchased land known as Bethpage Purchase from local Native American tribes in 1695 and in 1698 founded one of the area’s first faith community—Bethpage Friends Meeting.
Jean was a lifelong resident of Farmingdale and also a faithful Quaker who practiced and promoted peace early in life. After graduating Farmingdale high school she worked as a peace worker in Bangor Maine trying to help the local Youth Peace Council become more established while also giving talks to the community on peace legislation. Afterwards Jean attended Swarthmore College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in 1941. While attending Swarthmore Jean met her future husband Andre Hubbard and they married after graduation.
Jean developed a love for learning and for history from her parents. Her father was former Nassau County Historian Jesse Merritt, who was also the former president and publisher of the Garden City News in 1927 while also serving as editors of the Farmingdale Post and the Bethpage Post. Unusual for the time, Jean’s mother Mabel Witte Merritt was an attorney who also was an instructor of law courses at her alma mater, Columbia University. Like her parents, Jean was active in the community and very devoted to her faith, the Society of Friends. For 50 years, Jean served as clerk of Bethpage Friends Meeting. She was also an active member of Farmingdale Bethpage Historical Society and the University Women’s Club. Jean’s loving heart and home were always open for friends, family and frequent visitors. She will be greatly missed.
A memorial service will be on Sunday, June 4, at 11 a.m. to be held at Bethpage Friends Meetinghouse. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends General Conference.
