Obituaries

Elizabeth G. Meredith

Elizabeth G. Meredith died in her sleep on March 11, 2010, at San Simeon by the Sound, Greenport.

Libby, as she was always known, was born on January 11, 1915, the second baby to arrive at Eastern Long Island Hospital.

Libby attended Greenport High School and was active in many sports, but it was while playing basketball that she caught the eye of Lyle Meredith of Peconic. They were married on August 1, 1936, and later celebrated 69 years of marriage.

Libby worked as a baby nurse with seriously ill infants both before and after her marriage until her first child, Lynne, was born at the beginning of World War II. Like many young wives of that time, she was left to bring up her daughter on her own for several years while Lyle served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific. Jane was born on his return to complete their family.

Libby was a loving and supportive wife and mother while Lyle traveled the world as an electrical engineer. In 1954 the family settled in England for 20 years before Libby and Lyle returned to Southold in 1974.

Libby was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Southold and a church elder. She was active in many volunteer organizations. She was a member of the Eastern Star, the London American Women’s club and her local senior center. She gave 25 years of volunteer service at local blood banks and worked for over 25 years at the Greenport Opportunity Shop.

Libby was predeceased by her husband, Lyle Meredith, her parents, Viola and Louis Griffing, aand her in-laws, Helena and Charles Meredith. She is survived by her children, Lynne (Richard) Coote and Jane Stahler Reilly; her grandchildren, Bruce Ellis, Belinda Ellis, Charles Stahler, and Meredith (Christopher) Littlejohn; her step-grandchildren, Tabitha (Philip) Robertson and Daniel Coote; her great-grandchildren Matilda, Tabitha and Jemima Ellis and Bruce and Elizabeth Rose Littlejohn; and her step-great-grandchildren Lily and Romy Robertson. She is also survived by 11 nephews and nieces.

Visitation was at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold on March 20, followed by a graveside interment in the family plot at the First Presbyterian Church.

There will be a service of Celebration and Thanksgiving for the Life of Elizabeth Meredith on Saturday, May 15, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Gifts in memory of Libby will be welcomed by the Activities Department of San Simeon by the Sound in Greenport.

May we all be blessed as Libby to live a life that was so full of love, life and giving.