Laura M. (Leeman) Libby
PORTLAND - Laura M. (Leeman) Libby, 38, of Gorham died suddenly Thursday, December 31, 2009, at Maine Medical Center. She was the wife of Philip J. Libby. Laura was born on October 19, 1971 in Portland, a daughter of Lawrence P. Leeman of Portland and Sandra Jean (Burnell) Witham of Falmouth. She grew up in Falmouth, attending local area schools and graduating from Falmouth High School as a member of the graduating class of 1990. Laura married Philip John Libby on June 25, 1994. Knowing that someday they would very much like to start a family, but never imagining that they would soon become part of a rapidly growing club of parents with autistic children.
Laura and Phil, blessed with two special needs children, now ages 8 & 9, learned quickly how much they needed each other and became an unstoppable team. Taking every day as it came, celebrating milestones and cherishing hugs, Cooper and Chance Libby couldn't have had a more devoted, loving mother.
She was a member of Mom's Club in Gorham as well as a member of Autism Awareness. It was Laura that started the autism program in the Gorham Public School System, well before her boys where to attend.
Laura had little free time as a full time mother, but when she have time to herself she loved to go shopping, Wal-Mart in particular. She liked to spend time on facebook and loved the Red Sox. She was able to attend her first game just last summer, when the Red Sox defeated the Atlanta Braves.
Besides her husband and parents, she is survived by her two children Cooper and Chance Libby of Gorham, her step mother Sally Leeman of Portland and her step father Raymond Witham of Falmouth, her maternal grandmother Ellen D. Burnell of Bridgton, ME and her paternal grandmother Marion G. Leeman of Freeport. She also leaves her two brothers Keith P. Leeman and his wife Lisa of North Yarmouth and Stephen T. Leeman and his wife Robin of Cumberland and her two sisters Kelley J. Mason and her husband Douglas of Cumberland and her identical twin Lisa A. Shaw and her husband Stephen of Falmouth, as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was also the granddaughter of the late Walter F. Burnell and Daniel D. Leeman.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial visitation on Wednesday, January 6, 2010, from 2 - 5 p.m. at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland. A Memorial Service will follow at the funeral home at 5 p.m. with Rev. Philip Shearman officiating.
Burial will be private and held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to:
Autism Society
4340 East West Hwy Suite 350
Bethesda, MD 20814-3067
You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with the Libby family by visiting Laura's guest book at www.mem.com.
Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home
199 Woodford St.
Portland, ME 04103
207-775-3763
