Dr. Anne Lubbers, 67

Published 11:41 am Monday, March 7, 2022

It is with great sadness and regret that her family announces the death of Dr. Anne Lubbers, she was 67. Dr. Lubbers was Professor of Biology at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. She suffered a hemorrhagic stroke in her home on Thursday morning, and died peacefully in Lexington on Friday night. Throughout the afternoon and evening, she was surrounded by the love of her two sisters, Jane and Julie, and several of her close friends from Centre. Born Anne Elizabeth Lubbers in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, she graduated from Sheboygan North High School in 1972. Dr. Lubbers earned a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin—Green Bay, and her PhD from Duke University. She came to Centre in 1993 and was teaching her last course, Plant Biology, at Centre before retirement. A plant ecologist, her research on factors affecting seed production in wild ginseng has been published in Ecology, The American Journal of Botany and Ecology, The Canadian Journal of Botany, and numerous other publications. Dr. Lubbers loved guiding her students in summer research projects on plant biology and ecology. Generations of Centre students learned from her the joys of field work in botany. Dr. Lubbers was a member of the Botanical Society of America, the Kentucky Native Plant Society, the Ecological Society of America, and the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society. She served on the Board of the Kentucky Wildlife Refuge and took part in the Audubon Society’s annual bird count. A tireless advocate for native plant landscaping, Dr. Lubbers turned her own property into a natural forest and wildlife refuge. On campus of Centre College she was instrumental in the development of a native plant garden adjacent to Young Hall that was an expression of her passion and love for plant ecology and nature. She is survived by her mother Pat Lubbers, sisters Jane Michalski (Frank), Julie Lubbers and brother John Lubbers (Cynthia), nephews Jordan and Garrett Lubbers (fiancĂ©e Madalyn), nephews Matt and Ray Michalski, Aunts Penny Schaap (Jack), Renee Binder, Val Lubbers, Uncle Robert Lubbers (Susan), numerous cousins as well as many friends and colleagues from her Centre College Family. Details about memorial services will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Dr. Anne Lubbers Memorial Fund at Centre College. Donations may be made online at gifts.centre.edu or by calling 859-238-5513. Checks may also be mailed to Centre College at 600 West Walnut Street, Danville, KY 40422.

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