Elizabeth Morin

Elizabeth (Lucking) Morin, age 45, passed away peacefully on Feb. 22, 2026, after a long and extremely courageous battle with neuroendocrine cancer. As her earthly life came to an end, she was surrounded by family, with each hand lovingly held. The next day, an epic snowstorm brought New England to a standstill, allowing those who knew and loved Liz time to reflect on a beautiful life well lived.

Liz was born on Sept. 5, 1980, to Marie (Devlin) Lucking and Daniel H. Lucking. She was the third of three children, joining her two older brothers, Danny and Jamie, in a home in Holliston. Her early years were filled with ballet and gymnastics, Girl Scout meetings, summer visits with grandparents on Cape Cod and childhood friendships.

From 1994-98, she attended Marian High School in Framingham, where she excelled in creative writing and shone as a member of the school’s competition cheerleading squad, smiling brightly atop the pyramid and flying high into the air during seemingly death-defying routines. She then moved on to Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, where she majored in history, continued to excel as a writer and enjoyed her first chance to explore the world during J-term studies in Vienna, Paris and Anguilla. She graduated in 2002 with a B.A. in history and immediately began pursuing a master’s degree in early childhood education at Wheelock College in Boston.

After receiving her degree in 2005, Liz taught kindergarten for several years at a small Catholic school in Jamaica Plain. When the school closed in 2009, she was thrilled to accept a pre-K teaching position with the Natick Public Schools, where, for the next 16 years, she focused on special education and children on the autism spectrum. Liz absolutely loved heading to work each day and spoke often about her adorable students, voicing a particular affection for those most vulnerable who needed special attention, care and support. She also loved her amazing and supportive coworkers — and they loved her.

Liz’s greatest joy arrived on July 26, 2007, when her son, Christopher, was born. It was love at first sight, and she spent the next 18 years doing all she could to raise him the right way. Early in Chris’s life, Liz supported him as a single mom living in Hopkinton and was forever grateful for the invaluable assistance of her own mother, Marie (“Nanny”), during these years.

Then, on April 8, 2016, Liz met the love of her life, Justin Fossbender, who also happened to live in Hopkinton. Justin was the father of two beautiful children, Kiki and Cooper, and Liz knew right away that he was different; she loved his positivity and “can do” attitude, and the fact that he always took time to do the little things to make her feel special. Before long, Justin, Liz and the three kids were a tight-knit family, and as the years passed, they shared countless moments of joy at home and on numerous, memorable trips to places such as Alaska, the Caribbean, Martha’s Vineyard and Hawaii. Liz was particularly proud of Chris, Kiki and Cooper, and delighted in their accomplishments as students and athletes. She loved being a mom and was truly happy.

Throughout her life, Liz also developed meaningful friendships with classmates, coworkers and fellow parents. Whether cheering alongside them at sporting events, enjoying a poolside chat during the summer or catching up on life during work breaks, Liz had a gift for connecting in a way that drew people in. Time and again, friends would comment on her genuine kindness that ran deep; although she could laugh at herself easily, she never laughed at someone else’s expense. They also marveled at her radiant spirit, generous heart and the way she always made them feel valued and important. She remembered every small detail they shared and truly listened. But more than that, she truly cared.

Liz maintained her kind and caring spirit throughout her life, even after being diagnosed with cancer in 2021. Indeed, although she faced increasingly onerous health challenges, she never stopped thinking of others, often showing more concern about her illness’s impact on friends and family than on herself. She also never stopped appreciating how lucky she was — lucky to have such a loving family, lucky to have such incredible friends, lucky to have such wonderful and conveniently located medical care. She was not naive to the reality of her situation, but she felt blessed nevertheless.

As her long battle was coming to an end, Liz continued to enjoy the simple things that had always made her happy. She sent her mother a cheerful “good morning!” text every morning. She hung out with her beloved brothers, recalling their shared childhood and chuckling over their favorite Calvin and Hobbes strips. She listened to the singers and bands she loved most, including Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, U2, Fleetwood Mac and Noah Kahan. She visited with friends and family, laughing and crying and remembering. She mothered Chris, discussing summer jobs and college plans, and reminding him to schedule his next dentist appointment. She doted on her two adored cats, Stevie and Mac (named after Fleetwood Mac, obviously!). And she loved and leaned on Justin.

Simply put, Liz lived a wonderful life filled with love, laughter, connection, compassion and the joy of motherhood. Although she was taken far too soon and we grieve the years and experiences that might have been, we are eternally grateful for the time and life she had on this earth.

Liz is survived by Chris, Justin, Kiki and Cooper; her mother, Marie; her father, Daniel; her brothers, Daniel G. Lucking and James P. Lucking; her nephew, Christian P. Lucking; her niece, Briana G. Lucking; her devoted cousins, Emily (Devlin) Micucci and Maryanna (Devlin) Hille, as well as extended family.

A wake will be held on Friday, March 6, from 4-7 p.m. at Chesmore Funeral Home in Hopkinton. A funeral service and celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 7, at 9 a.m., also at Chesmore Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center Neuroendocrine and Carcinoid Research Program. Donations may be made in Elizabeth’s memory at danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/Elizabeth_Lucking_Morin.

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