Elsie Jean Husher

1925 - 2018

Elsie Jean (Moore) Husher, 93, resident of Waban, MA, passed away on Friday, December 7, 2018 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital after a long illness. Her funeral service will be held on 12 January, at 3 P.M. at the Union Church in Waban, MA. Mrs. Husher was born in Orange MA, on June 14, 1925 to Elsie L.S. Moore and F.J. Leigh Moore. She graduated from Smith College in 1946 with a BA in History, as well as subsequent history college courses at Northeastern University, 1967-1971. Elsie had a widely varied career, first as a part-time draftsman for Raytheon during WW2 (she was the first female draftsman ever hired by Raytheon) working with Radar technology (1944), then working as a detail draftsman for Submarine Signal Co. working with Sonar technology (1945), and after the war, was hired by United Aircraft Advanced Research Department in Hartford CT as an engineering aide for projects involving some of the first jet and ramjet engines (1946-1951). Subsequent to her marriage to Richard W. Husher in 1950, Elsie not only gave birth to four children, Frederick, Andrea, Neil and Eric, but also reignited her skills as an artist, providing accurate illustrations for several books, and re-engaged her long-standing interest in historical matters. As such, she became increasingly involved in the Newton Historical Society (Chairman), the Jackson Homestead, and the Newton Preservation Association, along with many other Newton historical committee positions. In fact, there was almost no historic preservation-related organization involving Newton that Elsie did not have a firm hand in for almost forty years. Elsie received many awards and honors for her work for the city and people of Newton that is perhaps best summed up by a resolution in 1980 by then Mayor of Newton, Theodore Mann. The citation concludes with the following: "NOW THEREFORE, I, Theodore D. Mann, Mayor of the City of Newton, do resolve that this day of recognition be officially noted by the City Government of Newton, and further declare that this document be preserved and maintained in the archives of this City an everlasting evidence of Elsie Jean Husher's devotion and commitment to the betterment of our community." Elsie Jean was a loving and attentive wife, mother, and a beloved matriarch for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her by her work for the community and as Secretary for the Union Church, as well as her family. Elsie is survived by her loving husband, Richard, her three sons, Frederick, Neil and Eric, as well her grandchildren Christopher, Erin, Nicholas, Naomi, Jeffrey, Douglas, and Derick, as well as great-grandchildren Charlotte, Samson, and Owen. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Andrea, and her brother, Donald. The family asks attendees to provide donations to the Union Church in lieu of flowers.