Sandra "Libby" Elizabeth Hassell

Sandra Elizabeth “Libby” Hassell was born in El Paso, Texas on October 7, 1952 to Leon Mack and Millie Mack of McCullough, Alabama. Libby passed away with her family by her side on September 11, 2026, in Dallas, Texas after a brief and sudden illness.  As she did throughout her life, she faced her illness and her final days with strength, grace, and unwavering faith until the very end.

Libby lived in Abilene, Texas as a girl before moving to Dallas, Texas.  Dallas quickly became Libby’s permanent home.  She graduated from Justin F. Kimball High School in 1971 and attended Texas Tech University before eventually returning to Dallas and graduating from the University of North Texas with a degree in interior design.  Libby remained in Dallas for the remainder of her life, where she raised her children, was actively involved in local schools and churches, enjoyed many lifelong friendships, and remained close to her sister, Dru, throughout her life. 

She was a devoted mother to her three children, staying home with them for almost fifteen years while they were young. A constant fixture at their schools, Libby volunteered her time and talents as a room parent and chaired the reception committee at the Parish Day School for many years. She was known for her exquisite taste and flair for decorating, hosting epic birthday parties for her children, and making the holiday season special for them while they were young.

Libby was known for spoiling each of her grandchildren. To them, she was simply Bibby. Kind, fun-loving, always up for a sweet treat, or to let her granddaughters play in her make-up, dabble in her perfume or brush her hair. Bibby would rarely tell her grandchildren “No”. She indulged their requests for ice cream for breakfast, special treats just because she could, and there was no limit to the amount of chocolate chips and powdered sugar pancakes could hold. She relished the countless trips to the zoo and the aquarium where she taught her grandchildren to love all animals and admire the uniqueness and beauty of each one. Libby had a menagerie of pets throughout her life. Each one became a member of her family. She spoiled them as much as she did her children and grandchildren.

She loved nature, plants, flowers, and all living things. She had a true “green thumb” and could encourage any flower or plant to grow and flourish. She passed this trait along to her family. Libby had a deep appreciation for all things God created and saw the beauty in all of them – the uniqueness of a shade of pink in a rose, the way the leaves changed colors in the Fall, the silence and the stillness of a snowy day in Dallas, and the joy when nature would come back to life in the Spring.

Libby was a lady in every sense of the word. Her slight southern drawl, her affinity for writing thank you notes for all occasions and even when facing death her ability to exemplify grace and gratitude and remain steadfast in her faith. She was beautiful inside and out. She was thoughtful, gracious, polite, and funny. She had a wicked sense of humor and believed that a fresh coat of lipstick could fix any problem. Anyone who knew her and loved, was blessed by her presence in their lives.

She worked as the assistant to the president of Ursuline Academy and later as the receptionist and the registrar at St. Monica Catholic School for almost twenty years. Libby loved her time at St. Monica as she would very often run into parents of students who she knew when they attended Ursuline Academy and Jesuit College Preparatory School with own her children many years before.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Millie Mack.

She is survived by her children; her daughter, Courtney Hassell Moffett and her husband Jed of Kingwood, Texas; her son, Jonathan Hassell and his wife Kat of Spring, Texas; and her son, Patrick Hassell and his wife Meg of Plano, Texas; her grandchildren, Bethany Moffett, Charlotte Moffett, Catherine “Cate” Moffett, William Moffett, Emma Moffett, Aydan Armstrong, Jackson Hassell, Wyatt Hassell, Leon Hassell and baby Joie Hassell who is expected to arrive in February 2027. She is also survived by her sister, Drucilla “Dru” Kirk and husband David of Plano, Texas, niece Caylor Kirk of Plano, Texas, and nephew Derek Kirk of Richardson, Texas.

Libby’s life and legacy will be celebrated at a Funeral Mass on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church, located at 12521 Inwood Road, Dallas, Texas 75244. Reception to follow in the St. Rita Parish Commons.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Libby’s honor be made to Operation Kindness.

https://www.operationkindness.org/make-a-memorial-gift/