Beth Janice (Bowser) Libby

SCARBOROUGH – Beth was born Feb. 9, 1957, to Donald and Virginia Bowser. The middle child, she is survived by her older brother, David Bowser and his wife Linda, as well as her younger sister, Joanne Pulyak.

She married Robert Leon Libby on June 21, 1980. They welcomed Matthew Malcolm on Oct. 3, 1987, and Hannah Dorothy on April 6, 1990. They both survive their mother, along with Hannah’s husband, Matthew Stapleton.

Beth was predeceased by her parents, but they are now reconnected.

Beth was passionate about two things. The first was her family. She was fiercely proud of her children and their many accomplishments in life. Christmas was her special time and Christmas stockings lasted as long as she was alive. Her second passion was the arts. She always considered herself fortunate to passionately advance her love and respect for the arts with the thousands of students she taught during her 36-year career. Many a child heard her say “Say that a nicer way please.” She inspired almost every child in Scarborough over that time and one of many family jokes was to see how long it would take to hear “HI MRS. LIBBY!” during family trips, including international trips like Aruba (it was two days!)

Beth and Bob enjoyed, in 2019, a much dreamed about six-week trek west to some of the most spectacular national parks. It was a highlight in her life and something she spoke of often. Follow-up trips were interrupted by COVID and her own illness.

Beth enjoyed the beach, reading, her flower gardens, movies, camping, watching her bird feeders, cats and children (especially her own).

Beth fought a long battle with cancer that began in 2016 and ended with her death. The family would like to thank everyone at Northern Lights Cancer Care and Infusion Center. Your kindness, compassion, caring, support and love have no bounds. It meant everything to her. You were “all daisies” in her mind.

In addition, the family would like to thank Northern Lights Hospice for making her comfortable during her last week. It is hard to believe that they accomplished all they did in that period of time. A special shout out to Nicole who went above and beyond to make sure her transition was smooth.

Friends and family are invited to her visiting hours at Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland on Monday, April 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. Casual attire requested by the deceased. At her request there will be no funeral – in fact, she once excused herself from a funeral due to her uncontrollable laughter, which those that understood her humor will find amusing, and certainly not surprising.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to HART, a no-kill cat shelter in Cumberland.

You can donate online at

hartofmaine.org

or by mailing a donation to

P.O. Box 351

Cumberland, ME 04021