MERRIMACK, NH – Jane (Skeffington) Hobbs, 91, died peacefully on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH, surrounded by loved ones. She was the wife of the late Ralph E. Hobbs, Jr., with whom she shared 63 wonderful years of marriage.
Born in Salem, MA on Aug. 30, 1918, Jane was the daughter of the late Harry and Pauline (Holman) Skeffington. Jane grew up on Warren Street in Salem and spent several summers on a farm in Methuen, MA, with family friends. Jane graduated from Salem High School in 1936 and spent four years working as a secretary at Holyoke Mutual Insurance Company.
Jane met her beloved husband Ralph “Red” Hobbs, Jr., on a blind date and the two were married in Grace Episcopal Church in June 1940 and made their home in North Salem. Theirs was a marriage marked by love and devotion to each other and to their family. They relished the simple pleasures in life, from spending summer days out on the boat to visiting friends and relatives at the Salem Willows. Jane and Ralph also enjoyed traveling to Bermuda and Florida.
While living in Salem, Jane was very involved in the community. She was a lifelong member of Grace Church and the Altar Guild. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Victory Chapter, and served as a Girl Scout troop leader. In addition, she served on the board of directors of Brookhouse Home and volunteered her time at the Women’s Friend Society and at the polls on election days. Jane later belonged to two organizations, the New Hampshire Circle of Home and Family, and Pilgrim Women.
After Ralph’s death in August 2003, Jane spent two and a half years residing at Aynsley Place, an assisted-living facility in Nashua, NH, where she enjoyed gardening, playing cribbage, and making friends with the other residents and staff. In 2006, Jane came to live with her daughter and son-in-law, who divided their time between homes in Nashua, NH, and Port Orange, FL. Jane loved to sit in the warm sun and read. Everyone who came in contact with Jane immediately adored her. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. Her positive attitude, twinkling eyes, and bright smile will be remembered by those who had the good fortune of knowing such an extraordinary woman.
Jane is survived by her devoted daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Alan Ross of Nashua, NH; a loving son, Richard E. Hobbs of Melbourne, FL; a sister-in-law, Patricia Hobbs of Salem; two grandchildren, Tammy Ross of Peabody, and Andrew Ross and his fiancée Tanya Salgals of Nashua; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a stepmother, Ruby Czternastek, formerly of Beverly; two brothers-in-law, Everett “Bud” Hobbs and Albin Zegarowski; and a sister-in-law, Gladys Hobbs Zegarowski, all formerly of Salem Willows.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 11 am in the Grace Episcopal Church, 385 Essex St., Salem. A visitation will be held Wednesday, May 12th from 5 to 8 pm at the Full-Spychalski Funeral Home, 84 Washington Square East, on Salem Common, Salem. Relatives and friends respectfully invited. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jane’s name to the Women’s Friend Society, 12 Hawthorne Blvd., Salem, MA 01970, or to Community Hospice House, 210 Naticook Rd., Merrimack, NH, 03054, or to Brookhouse Home, 180 Derby St., Salem, MA 01970. For on line guestbook or other information, visit www.SalemFuneral.com.