Barbara Marie Libby

Barbara was born in Westbrook on January 30, 1933 to Irenee Bernier and Evelyn Farr. She was the oldest of six children and attended Westbrook schools.

In June of 1949, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Percy O. Libby, Jr., and their love continued for over five decades. They resided in Westbrook where they raised their family of five children. During this time, she owned and operated Barb’s Beauty Shop until building a new home and moving to Gorham in 1972.

Barbara enjoyed many different past times including knitting club, ceramics, competitive dog obedience trials, cross-country skiing, scrapbooking and traveling, especially to the Amish country in Pennsylvania and the local county fairs. She especially enjoyed hosting her family, friends and church members at her backyard pool. Barbeques, homemade ice cream, horseshoes, late evening chats and sing along were common. Barbara was a talented singer and musician and would often play the accordion and organ as all sang along.

Rev. Libby utilized her musical talents early on as an organist at The Westbrook Assembly of God and sang in a quartet traveling to other churches alongside her husband. She felt the call of God on her life to become a minister and was ordained by the Deliverance Bible Institute in 1981. She continued her education through the Christian Life School of Theology and acquired her Master in Divinity in 2004, her Doctorate in Ministry in 2005 and her Doctorate in Theology in 2008.

In 1981, Rev. Libby and her husband founded The Lighthouse Christian Center and began their ministry in a one-room schoolhouse in Gorham, later moving to Westbrook holding services at The Saccarappa Grange Hall. In 1984, they purchased property on Spring Street in Westbrook and started construction on a new church building, which was completed in November of 1986. She relied on her faith in God to provide the resources, donations and the labor and time of others to build the church. She called the church “God’s miracle on Spring Street” as it was completed debt free.

Part of her life’s work as a minister showcased her epic talent as an author and narrator. The sermons she delivered could leave you laughing or bring you to tears as she commanded the Sunday pulpit like no other 4’-10” pastor could. She was passionate and devoted to God, the church and its people. She was known for her integrity, faithfulness and love for the Lord and family.

Barbara is predeceased by her beloved husband, Percy Libby, Jr., daughter Carol Ann and sisters Jeannette Bernier and Joanne Waters.

She is survived by daughter Linda Wilson, son Gary and wife Angelina, son David and wife Cheryl, son Mark and wife Moay, 13 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.

She is also survived by a sister, Patricia Sawyer and brothers Robert Bernier and Donald Bernier.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Lighthouse Christian Center, 636 Spring Street, Westbrook, Maine 04092.

A special thank you to the nursing and administration staff at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House for their wonderful and compassionate care of Barbara Marie Libby.

Friends and family are invited to attend a time of visitation on Thursday evening May 10, 2018 from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at the Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Portland, Maine. A funeral service will be celebrated on Friday May 11, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. in the Lighthouse Christian Center 636 Spring St. Westbrook, Maine. Interment will immediately follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Westbrook, Maine. On-line condolences can be given to the family at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com.