Barbara Lowell Hobbs

Barbara "Barb" Lowell Hobbs (ne'e Shaw) passed away peacefully on December 24, 2025. She is survived by siblings John Shaw and Elizabeth Chronister. Growing up in Dearborn, Michigan she attended the Edison Institute at Greenfield Village, graduating in 1949. She then went on to attend Alma College and the University of Michigan earning a degree in Art/English with a teacher's endorsement. Her teaching career included time in the Detroit Public Schools, Wayne-Westland Schools, Northville Schools and finally, Engadine Consolidated Schools. She proved herself a teacher's teacher.
Barb married Stuart Campbell Hobbs, after converting to the Catholic faith, in 1952 producing four children within the next decade: Stuart Lee., Katharine Mary., Carrie Lowell., and Christopher John. Barb was able to successfully parent four children, maintain her marriage, and pursue her professional responsibilities-an uncommon practice for that generation, She is survived by seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
Barb was an avid and prolific artist who favored natural settings in realistic and abstract formats using watercolors as a primary medium. Some of her later work could be considered surrealist. She loved to read history and travel. She possessed a consummate understanding of the English language, spoken and written. It was not uncommon to have her correct her children's vocabulary and verb tenses.
In later married years she resided in the Upper Peninsula near Naubinway, She and her husband joined the Hiawatha Sportspersons Club in the early 1960's. She resided there through 2020 then moving to Brighton Mi., to be closer to family. Barb embraced the natural environment as was most evident in her later artistic efforts. She was able to successfully market her talents.
She will be profoundly missed by her family, extended and otherwise. Barb possessed a positive demeanor often self-effacing, and loved a good laugh. In all ninety-four years she never uttered a swear word but offered a shoulder to many in need. She loved people, life and a good whiskey sour.
Her memorial will be held this summer in the Upper Peninsula on the shore of her beloved Lake Michigan.