Blue Slipper Stories
Widows’ Guild Newsletter ̵ Winter 2023
After Jerry’s passing in 2016, the Masonic Widows’ Guild began to send postcards to Karen, reminding her she had support available when needed, thanks to her husband’s membership in the Masonic fraternity.
“I was so tied up in his care, after he passed, I didn’t look through all the mail,” Karen said. “Something made me keep the postcard from the Widows’ Guild. I put it away to review later.”
A Silent B L ES S I N G Brother Jerry Hubler, Driftwood Emporium Lodge No. 532, Driftwood, worked in logging and trucking his whole life, following in the footsteps of his parents. He believed in hard work and looked forward to a happy retirement with his wife, Karen. In the last year of his career, their plans changed when Jerry was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. His condition progressed rapidly, and within three years, he passed away.
“He was a fantastic husband and father,” Karen said, “and a wonderful person and excellent provider. He was very good to me and had a big heart. There was nothing I wanted that I didn’t get.”
She was happy she saved the postcard when she found herself in a tough situation. Her furnace went out and needed replaced. The repair company was requesting payment upfront, and Karen didn’t know how she would come up with the thousands of dollars needed. She pulled out the postcard and called Linda Jackson, director of philanthropic and widows’ support. Linda listened to Karen’s situation and passed along her information to Nick Mahler, director of outreach and member services. Nick called Karen and informed her what assistance they could provide.
“It was a blessing,” Karen said. “To be able to reach out and hear, ‘Yes, we can help you,’ it gave me such hope.” Her furnace was repaired, and while Karen still isn’t sure exactly what made her keep that postcard, she now tells everyone to keep any mailings they receive from the Masonic Village, Masonic Charities or the Widows’ Guild.
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