Nancy Libby Obituary (1914

Hallowell ? Nancy D. Libby, 92, of Hallowell died November 25, 2006 in her home. She was born March 23, 1914, in Caribou, Maine, the daughter of Richard J. and Annie (Ball) Libby. Nancy attended public schools in Gorham and Augusta, Maine, and enjoyed many adventures with her older brother Tom.. They were great kids who provided many lively challenges for their parents. She and her family enjoyed many happy summers in Castine and biweekly visits to the old family farm in West Buxton. She graduated magna cum laude with her B.A. from Colby College, her M.A. from Columbia University, and her Ph.D from Duke University; each of her degrees was in English literature. In the late 30?s,Dr.. Libby began her career as a high school English teacher at Aroostook Central Institute in Mars Hill, Maine. She loved northern Maine and the warmth of the people in Aroostook County. She also taught high school English at Traipp Academy in Kittery and Brunswick High School until World War II began. Each summer she traveled to NYC to Columbia University to work on her masters degree which she completed just prior to the War. Nancy joined the Navy as her contribution to the war effort, and, although she stated her highest aptitude was in the realm of verbal skills, she scored so high in the math and science areas that she became the Navy officer who approved all work done on state side Naval air fields. Nancy traveled all over the U.S. while in the Navy and was glad she had taken the opportunity to serve her country. When the war ended, she was delighted to learn that she qualified for the GI Bill and went on to Duke to earn her doctorate. While at Duke she met many famous authors. The one that stood out in her mind who was most interesting was Dylan Thomas. Upon her graduation from Duke in the early 50?s , Dr. Libby traveled to Fredonia, New York to teach English literature at a fledgling campus of the State University of New York. Nancy saw the campus grow from a small college to a very large New York state university. Throughout her 30 year career at the college level, she greatly enjoyed teaching and sharing ideas and philosophies of life with her students. She served as Chair of the English, Speech, Drama, and Communications Department for many years and had an office available for her use several years after her retirement. Doctor Libby was a classy, inspirational teacher with whom her students loved to discuss ideas. To this day she receives frequent correspondence from many of her past students. Nancy?s greatest love in her life was her family. She never forgot her roots and as long as her parents were living, she returned to West Buxton, Maine, every summer to be with them. Upon her mother?s death in 1962, Nancy took her father to live out his final 12 years with her in Fredonia. Every chance to be with family members was special to Nancy. She hosted many wonderful Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations to all of her extended family. She was a devoted daughter, sister, sister-in-law, and aunt. It was amazing how this single, career lady stretched her lovely home from meeting the needs of one person to lavishly hosting a family of ten. Upon retirement, she and her sister-in-law Terry Libby traveled extensively throughout Europe and Hawaii. Their favorite haunt was Bluebeard?s Castle in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where they spent 14 New Year?s Eves and winter vacations. Although Nancy Libby retired from teaching, she was by no means inactive. During her retirement years in Fredonia up until the age of 86, she had a strong network of friends, did water exercise twice a week, served as a weekly volunteer in the ICU at Brooks Memorial Hospital in Dunkirk, was a deacon at the First United Presbyterian Church of Dunkirk,, and a leader in the Shakespeare Club, AAUW, the Fredonia Antiques and Collectibles Group and the Chautauqua County Council of the Arts. She attended as many events as possible that took place at the college and greatly enjoyed her life as a retired professor. In 2,000, Nancy moved back to Maine to Granite Hill Estates in Hallowell so that she could be closer to family.. She never lost her fierce sense of independence or her gracious, elegant manner; Nancy truly enjoyed people and felt that she had been blessed with living a wonderful life. Anyone who ever got to know Nancy Libby was a lucky person indeed. Her strength, her courage, her intellect were inspiring. Her genuine caring for others, her humor, her faith in humanity, and her positive outlook on life cheered and impressed all who knew her. Even in her final years when life wasn?t easy, she always cared first for those who were around her. The world is truly a better place for her having been here. Nancy is predeceased by her parents; her beloved brother, Thomas W. Libby of Augusta;,her sister in law, Terry Libby of Owls Head; and her nephew Thomas E. Libby of Chicago, Illinois. She is survived by her niece Nona Libby Thompson and her husband Stephen of Hallowell; her grand-niece Laura Thompson Brady and her husband Damian of Bear, DE; her grand-nephew, David Thompson of Portland; her nephew?s wife, Eileen Libby of Chicago, and her grand nephew Avery Libby, his wife Marta, and his son Aiden of Ostsego, Michigan. Nancy?s family would like to thank the caring staff and residents of Granite Hill Estates for the outstanding and caring support they gave Nancy over the past six years. A celebration of Nancy Libby?s life will be held in the Media Room at Granite Hill Estates, 60 Balsam Drive in Hallowell, at 3:00 p.m., on Wednesday, November 29. A graveside burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. on November 29th at the Tory Hill Meeting House Cemetery in Bar Mills. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nancy?s name to the Hubbard Free Library, 115 Second Street, Hallowell, 04347. Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, One Church Street, Augusta.