Fulbright  Family  Association  NewsLetter  Articles

In Memory of
Marion Bissett Hoblit

We were all saddened by the passing of our dear Marion on April 30,1992. At the time of her death she was 89 years old. She was preceded in death by her husband Harris Hoblit. She is survived by one stepson, Harris Hoblit and his wife Dorrie.

If not for Marion Hoblit there would not have been a Fulbright reunion in 1991, nor would you be reading this family newsletter right now. Early in February 1991 Marion called a group of people together that she knew were interested in Fulbright origins, and proposed that we have a reunion. What started out very small escalated into the first nationwide reunion in 30 years. The rest is history. Although she wouldn't accept an office in the association, "because of her age," she would say, she remained our constant cheerleader imbuing us all with her enthusiasm. and zest for life.

Born Sept. 7,1903, Marion was the great-great-great-granddaughter of William Wilson Fulbright, who built the first house in Springfield, Mo. in 1829; the first child born in Springfield was her great-great-grandfather.

Marion was a life long resident of Springfield, having completed her early schooling there. She obtained a degree in economics from Christian College and Drury College, and completed postgraduate studies at Bryn Mawr and Northwestern University.

She began a 44-year career in education in 1925, when she became a history teacher with the Springfield Public School System. She was instrumental in the formation of their COE (cooperative occupational education) program and served as its coordinator from 1937 until her retirement in 1969. During her years as an educator Marion served as an officer in many professional and educational organizations.

Marion was always interested in everything and everyone. She took an active role in service to her community. A listing of civic and service organizations, groups concerned with preserving our history and the arts, and her church activities would fill this entire column.

In 1929 she was centennial queen for Springfield's 100th anniversary celebration. A large Fulbright reunion was held in connection with the centennial. Marion kept the registration book that attending Fulbrights signed during this reunion. Those of you who attended the reunion in June 1991 had the honor of signing this same register in commemoration of our family holding another reunion after so many years.

Marion was recently honored by the History Museum of the Ozarks for her lifetime as an outstanding woman in the community. She was known for her knowledge of Springfield history and her willingness to share it with others. Jan Horton, director of Springfield's Community Foundation (and an associate member of the Fulbright Family Association) stated, in an article about Marion in the local paper the Springfield News-Leader, that "she was one of the best historians for this area.... she was a link to our past and our heritage." Another longtime friend and community leader, described her as, "..the first lady of Springfield.

Those of us who had the opportunity to know and work with Marion were truly blessed. She had the ability to make each and every person feel that they were the most important person that she had talked with that day. And any Fulbright descendant who ever met her will never forget her favorite saying "if you have a drop of Fulbright blood, you are a cousin."

We will all miss you cousin Marion!