Penobscot Indian Nation— It is with deep grief and heavy hearts that we announce the highly respected matriarch, Penobscot Nation Elder & community leader, Elizabeth Sockbeson passed away early Sunday, August 3, 2025 on Indian Island, where she was born. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren who held her and sang her back to the ancestors; it was a peaceful and powerful passing. She was known as Beth, Honey, Mumma, Grammy, and Ghee. She was born on July 13, 1938, the daughter of Julia Neptune. She is also predeceased and received by her brother Adrian Loring, daughter, Rachel Sockbeson and grandson, Dougie Sockbeson. She is survived by her beloved husband of 30 years, John "Jack" Loftus, and her dedicated sister Donna Loring (Debra Bouchard). She is also survived by her cherished children Julia Sockbeson, Albert (Dororthy) Sockbeson, Mark (Sylvia) Sockbeson, Velena Lamson, Andy Sockbeson (Jill Love), Thomas (Robyn) Sockbeson, and Rebecca Sockbeson (Reg Cardinal) and step daughters, Laurie Loftus & Kelly Earl (late Mike). She is also survived by her 23 grandchildren whom she deeply adored. In order of birth: Elizabeth, Stephanie, Maulian, Jason, Andrew Dana, Thomas Jr., Rachel, Eve, Gregory, Athena, Andrew II, Ethan, Jordan, Elisha, Chloe, Jeremy, Lucas, Nyle, John, Julia Msahtawé, Iktome and Cipenuk. She has over 34 great grandchildren, and many more to come, 48 of her direct decendants live on Indian Island. She is also survived by her dear sibling in laws, Pete Donihee, Linda (Brian) Gallagher, Syliva Polchies and Carol Francis. She fiercely protected and cherished her family and held a profound sense of pride and commitment to all Native people, especially those in her own Tribal community. She is well known and respected for her deep compassion and love for those in need, her tireless commitment and strong personal integrity. Throughout her lifetime, Elizabeth served as a Tribal Leader for the Penobscot Nation where she served many terms on Tribal Council, through 5 administrations and 7 chiefs with great wisdom, making her one of the most frequently elected Tribal Leaders in the tribal nation's history. She served the tribe for over 30 years as the Home Improvement Coordinator where she tended to many of the Tribe's home improvement projects, driven to improve the quality of the homes on the island with incredible force and advocacy. She sat on the Housing Commission and the Health Committee for over 20 years and even when her community service was done, she remained committed to the wellbeing and future of Penobscot people, spending her last lucid moments sharing how she wants the very best for the people of the Penobscot Nation. As a girl living on the Island she was athletic and active, who loved figure skating, rollerskating, swimming and dancing; in general, she loved sports and was a Yankees fan that she loved to tease her sister about being a Red Sox fan. Watching her children and grandchildren play at their various sporting events was a favorite past time. She was community-minded and loved praying, so much she kept a "prayer chair" in her bedroom where she spent hours. She was an expert pie maker and her love language was making pies for those she held dear, knowing their favorite kind. She and Jack had an avid love for Maine Hockey, traveling far and wide to support the team. They were hockey fans well before the team gained national notoriety, sharing immense joy and meeting lifelong friends since the early 1980's. Celebration of life ceremonies for Elizabeth are underway now and the family invites you to join the Sacred Fire at the home of Mark & Sylvia, Indian Island, anytime until the wake which will be ongoing until after the funeral mass. The wake will be held at Birmingham's Funeral Home, 438 Main St. Old Town, Wednesday, August 6, 3-6pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Parish of the Resurrection of the Lord, St. Ann's Catholic Church, Indian Island with Reverend Erin Donlon, Celebrant Thursday, August 7th at 10am. A reception at the Sockalexis Arena will follow immediately after Mass. For those who wish to attend the internment, the family will leave from St. Ann's Church after the conclusion of Mass. Internment will take place at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery 449 Ohio St. Bangor. *In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Partners for Peace https://www.partnersforpeaceme.org/get-involved/donate/ and/or the Penobscot Nation Youth Program https://www.penobscotnation.org/departments/social-services/penobscot-nation-youth-program/ Elizabeth was committed and had great respect for both of these programs.