Rose Marie Libby

Rose-Marie was a graduate of both High School and Business College in Akron Ohio.

Armed with her Business degree, Rose-Marie was hired in 1937 by The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron. She worked for the Vice President of the Publicity Department, where she was featured as a model in several of Firestone’s national advertisements for its’ new Rubber and Latex Product Division. Dreading spending a dateless New Years Eve in 1938, she accepted a blind date with a young engineer, Paul Libby. However, before accepting, Rose-Marie pulled some strings and checked out Paul’s employment application (complete with picture). She and Paul were married on April 29, 1939 and spent the next 69 years happily together.

In 1951 Paul joined the J.M. Huber Corporation and they lived in New York, New Jersey and then lived in Borger, Texas for 51 years. They were active in the First Presbyterian Church and were members of the Borger Country Club. Rose-Marie was a member of Paragon Women’s Club, and the Patchwork Pals quilting group.

Rose-Marie owned a knit shop in Borger. She loved knitting and teaching others to knit. However, once the quilting bug bit, her knitting became a forgotten art. She was an avid quilter and made beautiful quilts for her family and as gifts. New babies born into the Presbyterian Church congregation each received a handmade quilt from her group. A quilt designed and made by her and several friends hangs in the Hutchinson County Museum in Borger. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will always treasure the quilts she designed and stitched for them.

Golf was a passion for Rose-Marie and Paul. They took many golf trips in the United States and Europe, and attended the British Open. In the late 50’s, Rose-Marie was among the first group of women who wanted to play golf at the new Huber Country Club in Borger. The Golf Pro decided the ladies could play on Mondays (the day the course was watered). After several Mondays, an article appeared in the Borger New Herald, discussing the new “Female type Golfers” on the course. The article was not favorable. On the next Ladies Day, Rose-Marie wore an extremely frilly blouse with a large printed sign on the back which read “Caution, Female Type Golfer. “

In 2003 Rose-Marie and Paul moved to Colorado Springs, CO, to be near their children. They were members of the Garden of the Gods Club and Kissing Camels Golf Club. Paul died in February 2009 at the age of 93.

Rose-Marie is survived by her daughter Paula Warrell (Ed), daughter Harriette Green, son Paul W. Libby, Jr. (Sylvia) and daughter-in-law, Jeanne Libby. She was a proud grandmother to 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, son, Stephen Libby, grandson, Brian Dehls, and her beloved husband, Paul.

Following a private family service, Rose-Marie will be buried in Colorado Springs.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to: Barrow Neurological Foundation, Fulton ALS Center, 350 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013.

Her family wishes to extend its’ gratitude to the following: Sandy Clarke and staff of Emeritus at Bear Creek, Dr. McMasters and staff of Gentiva Hospice and Tom and Georgia Thompson. These individuals cared for our Mother as they would their own, and have supported us in our loss.

.Arrangements entrusted to Memorial Gardens Cemetery and Funeral Home, www.memorialgardensfuneralhome.com