Patricia Elizabeth (Chapski) Hubbard

Pattie Hubbard, the most beloved wife, mother, friend, and artist, has died at age 73. Much to her introverted chagrin, but with her loving yet begrudging consent, we share with you some moments from her wonderfully private life. Born to artists Elizabeth Ann (Bunk) and Rudolph Charles Chapski on October 18, 1951, Pattie spent her childhood in Deer Park and Springs (East Hampton), Long Island, New York. In high school, she worked at Fanning Jewelers, had a job at a candy store, and realized that she was an artist. She graduated from East Hampton High School in 1969. Pattie then earned her B.A. in Studio Art at Potsdam College. There, she belonged to the Student Art Association, had a solo art exhibition, and also participated in their May 1973 women artists’ group show. After college, Pattie ran the art supplies department of the college bookstore at SUNY Oswego. She convinced the school that the bookstore needed a space in which to sell student-made artworks and crafts. This was the birth of the Hewitt Union Arts & Crafts Center, which Pattie ran from 1974 to 1979. Pattie worked in a variety of two- and three-dimensional mixed media, and her lifetime body of work focused on themes of the body, feminism, justice, and peace. Pattie met the love of her life at SUNY Potsdam. Pattie and Michael Hubbard wed on October 6, 1973. They welcomed their child, Zachary Michael-Brian Hubbard, in 1984. Inseparable for more than half a century, Michael and Pattie protested war together, worked at New York State banks together, fostered kids and ran foster kid camp together, hosted annual Italian Christmas Eve feasts of the seven fishes together, explored the world together, and raised funds for and served their communities together, right up until the end of her life. Pattie loved The Beatles, cool insects (like beetles), reading, Vincent Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, teal blue, traveling, Thanksgiving, animals (especially dogs, cats, and pigs), lifelong learning, holiday baking, and Hay Day. She valued her family and friends above all else, and she cherished people exactly as they came into her life. Inside and out, she knew every last detail of each home she made, and she had an encyclopedic knowledge of every location, every idiosyncrasy, every secret process in the machinery of life. She was predeceased by her beloved grandparents, her parents, her dear family friends Paul Weissflog and Eleanor (Bum) Hall, and a legion of much-loved animal family members, including Dita, Tigger, Jonathan, Misty, Maxine, Zoe, and Gracie. Pattie will be forever missed by her loving husband, Michael; her child, Zak (bonus child, Austin); her brother, Rudy Chapski (Judy); her extended family, Susan Hubbard (Jacob Mason), Frances Hubbard, Mark Hubbard (Dr. Terri Tamase); three furry grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and grand-niblings; and friends so close they are chosen family. She and her greenest thumb are also missed by her lush forest of carefully-tended house plants. Mom was privately cremated. She spent the last months of her life visiting with a lifetime of family and friends, which she considered to be her celebration of life. A gathering for friends and family will be hosted at Harbor Lights, 150 Gray Street, Warwick, RI, 02889 on Thursday, October 16, 2025 from 12pm to 4PM. In remembrance of Pattie, be kind. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Help the Homeless (https://helpthehomelessri.org/donate); AMFAR (http://www.amfar.org/); or a charity of your choice.

Patricia Elizabeth (Chapski) Hubbard

September 30, 2025