73Libby attended the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, CT; the University of Hawaii; and Parsons School of Design in New York City.
A resident of Dorset, VT for most of her life, Libby was active in numerous civic affairs, notably the Dorset Historical Society, as president, and contributor to the town history, Dorset: in the shadow of the marble mountain (published in 1989). She shared and documented her extensive knowledge of Dorset families, a legacy for generations to come.
For many years, she was an assistant to the Art Teacher at Dorset Elementary School, a position she cherished for the opportunity to help foster the students' creativity. Libby believed in a healthy community and was a vigorous advocate for the United Counseling Service of Bennington, VT, attending many hearings in Montpelier.
In the 1990s, her family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii where she was involved in the Iolani School Ohana, a parent organization. Libby championed environmental protection through classroom presentations with the Outdoor Circle and as a founding member of the non-profit group Scenic Hawaii, Inc. She also helped create the independent non-profit Hawaii Cord Blood Bank. For more than twenty years, she remained engaged and supportive of HCBB's efforts to increase transplant access for Hawaii's minority and multi-race patients.
Libby loved history and soon after moving to Portsmouth she became active in Strawbery Banke, the outdoor waterfront history museum with over 32 historic houses, mostly on their original sites. She followed her lifelong interest in fashion by sponsoring an innovative historical fashion show production on the grounds of the museum. She also worked as a gallery assistant at Northeast Auctions in Portsmouth for many years.
Libby was an ardent supporter of Cross Roads House in Portsmouth, a shelter providing assistance to local families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness. She recently mentioned to a friend that because of the Covid-19 pandemic, she realized how crucial, now more than ever, Cross Roads House is to the community.
Elisabeth lived the last twenty years of her life in Portsmouth. Her family and friends will greatly miss her loyalty and sense of humor. Above all, she will be remembered as an active and proud civic-minded woman who cared for her neighbors with compassion and generosity.
She is survived by her partner of many years, Donald Bruce Montgomery, of Portsmouth, and by her daughter, Jennie Sturges Gaborno and three grandchildren. She is predeceased by her daughter, Jessie Kent Sturges.
Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in her name to Scenic Hawai'i, Inc. at scenichawaii.org or the Hawai'i Cord Blood Bank, 1319 Punahou St., Honolulu, HI 96826.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
