Betty Jane (Ervin) Hulbert, 93, of Bedford, MA, died peacefully on July 12, 2018, in the loving care of her children and hospice workers following a brief illness. She was the much-loved wife of Russell Draper Hulbert, her husband of 59 years, who passed away in 2005.

Born to Florence Huegely Snow and Glenn James Ervin in Alexandria, LA, on December 19, 1924, Betty was raised in California, MO, by her mother and her maternal grandparents, Laura and Alonzo Snow. Following her graduation from Jefferson City (MO) High School in 1942, she moved to St. Louis to live full-time with her mother, who was the social editor for the St. Louis Dispatch . There, at a dinner for servicemen, Betty met Russell, then a U.S. Army Air Corps radio operator and instructor. They married in 1946 and moved to Russell's home city of Portland, ME, where they lived for a short time. Both only children, the couple raised their eight children first in Lexington, MA, and then moved to Bedford, MA, in 1962.

Betty was fiercely stubborn and proud of her independence. She had an exceptional memory right up until her passing. A lover of words and grammar, she was an avid reader and a crossword puzzle enthusiast. She had a great sense of humor and friends of all ages. Betty enjoyed strong coffee, Westerns, and animals. She loved poring over maps and photo albums, and sharing memories of her childhood in small-town Missouri surrounded by relatives. Above all, she relished festive occasions with her family.

A New England convert, Betty developed a deep love for the ocean—most of all coastal Maine, where she camped with her family for more than 30 years, making much work for herself and treasured memories for her children. Betty and Russ continued to explore pockets of Maine and the U.S., took several cruises, and traveled to Europe.

Betty was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to many. She is survived by her children, Bruce Hulbert and his wife, Wendy, of Redding, CA, Douglas Hulbert and his wife, Saangtip, of Santa Maria, CA, Christine Capogna and her husband, Stephen, of Hendersonville, NC, Debbie Harwood and her husband, Randy, of Boston, Cynthia Rourke of Worcester, MA, Carolyn Stanfield and her husband, Terry, of Salt Lake City, Joanne King and her husband, Steven, of Newmarket, NH, and Gail Hulbert of Providence, RI; as well as her 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

A private memorial for Betty's family and friends will be held at a later date at the Burlington Church of Christ, where she was a long-time member. Memorial donations can be made to Project Puffin, the National Audubon Society's Seabird Restoration Project, 311 Main Street, Rockland, ME 04841.

Betty's family would like to extend a special thank you to her many friends who visited and those who cared for her at the end of her life; also to the staff and residents of New Horizons in Woburn, MA, where Mom lived for her last four months—and wore lipstick to every meal.