Alethea Hubley

"A eulogy to Alethea" 

- by Gavin Hubley, Alethea's husband.

Alethea Hubley (nee Mayes) was born in Murwillumbah NSW on January 24th, 1950, to the late Reverend Charles and Alma Mayes. She passed away suddenly at 2am Sunday August 23rd, Brisbane time, experiencing a massive brain hemorrhage.

Alethea is my soul mate. We have been together for 48 years and we still will be now in another fashion. She will continue to guide me. She exuded compassion for her fellow human beings. She was adventurous, bright, articulate, a gentle and shy individual. She believed there was good in everyone. She was a loving giving person and avid gardener. She was a member of the Karana Downs Garden Club and a committed member of the Karana Downs Uniting Church.

Alethea graduated from the University of Queensland at nineteen years of age with a BA triple major in English, French and Geography. She went on to graduate from Mount Allison University (Sackville NB Canada) with an education degree. She graduated from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane with a degree in Teacher Librarianship. She attended Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga and received a Master of Science (in Library and Information Management). She was a theological librarian.

Alethea was a gifted photographer and florist with an artistic eye for composition. She amassed a collection of some 80,000 photos over her life. In the mid-seventies, she trained at the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and became a well-recognized florist, winning a number of competitions. She opened a flower shop in Bridgewater Nova Scotia known as (The Arrangement) which she operated for five years before returning to Australia where we have lived most of our time since 1983.

Alethea is a loving and giving wife, she has seen me through dark times, and we have amassed many memories and experiences not easily duplicated by others. In our retirement years, we have traveled extensively. Since 2004 we have traveled to Europe and North America at least once a year. She has left a hole in my heart. She leaves behind many close friends both in Canada and Australia who are sharing my grief. Many have shared their thoughts with me. We must remember life is rich and to be cherished; and she believed that there is God in everyone. Alethea leaves me behind, but she will remain with me in spirit and I know her soul will look after me.

She also leaves behind her Australian family: Her brother Alex Mayes and his wife Beverley and their children Janet and Stuart and Stuart's wife Carol. She leaves behind her sister, Lynette and her husband Peter Phillips, their children Shelley and Simon, Shelley's husband Peter Lockhart and children Tim and Lucy.  Simon's wife Carissa and their children Lilly and Pippy.

She also leaves behind her Canadian family: Brenda (nee Hubley) and her husband George Holmes, their children Scott and Natalie, Scott's wife Shannon and their children Spencer and Sawyer, and Natalie's children Alexis and Kai. They all have a special place in Alethea's and my heart.

We will hold a celebration of her life with a memorial service once Covid 19 restrictions are lifted, before that though we will hold a prayer meeting for ten people once her body is returned to me.

Alethea holds all of you in the Light.