Ann Marie Libbert

Ann was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, the eighth of nine children. She grew up in Fall River and enjoyed singing with her father, brothers, and sisters while her mother played piano. She later worked at the Fall River Knitting Mill. After her brother Leo Paquin Jr married Marie Grota, Ann met Marie’s brother Bill at various Paquin-Grota family gatherings. Ann and Bill married in May of 1958. Ann went on to become a hair stylist and worked in that industry in Fall River and Tiverton, Rhode Island until her retirement in the early 90’s. Ann provided care and comfort like no other, and she did so for many terminally ill family members including her father Leo, brother Arthur, and mother-in-law Irene. Ann was also the family hostess, inviting family members over almost every summer weekend to “The Cottage” on the shore of the Mt. Hope Bay in Tiverton where her parents, brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews would enjoy clam boils and cookouts, swimming in the bay, throwing horseshoes, playing wiffle ball and endless card games. Some would stay the weekend, others for the entire summer. When Bill’s heart attack forced him into disability retirement in 1990, he and Ann sold the cottage and moved to Citrus Springs. They built a home next door to Ann’s sister Claire (and husband Bob Morrissey), and eventually brother Leo (and wife Marie) purchased the property next door, while brother Bob Paquin (and wife Barbara) and sister Lil (and husband Don Sullivan) were also just a few minutes away. Ann tirelessly cared for Bill until his passing in 2011. Many years later Ann met Leon Libbert. Leon travelled throughout Florida for his job, so Ann would accompany him on road trips, stopping frequently to shop from local artisans. Ann was inspired and began making wreaths and Afghans. Ann and Leon married in January of 2018. Leon’s children and grandchildren adored Ann, and she adored them. Tragically, Leon was diagnosed with cancer during that summer, and Ann once again resumed her role as the caregiver, providing all her attention to Leon until his passing in December of 2018. During the past few years Ann continued making wreaths and Afghans for family, friends, and charities, while enjoying as much time as she could with her sisters, the three of whom were affectionately referred to as “The Golden Girls”.

She is survived by her sisters Lillian Sullivan of Beverley Hills FL and Claire Morrissey of Flatwoods KY, brother Timothy Paquin and wife Chris of Leesburg VA, sister-in-law Barbara of Brownsburg IN, as well as by several other loving relatives including stepchildren, step-grandchildren, Godchildren, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband’s Leon Libbert and William Grota, brothers Leo Jr (wife Marie), George (wife Delores), Robert, Arthur and Ronald, and nephew Edward Wallbank.