Sally McKay Libby

Sally McKay Libby, 89, beloved wife of Edgar Emery Libby  of Willowdale Road, Topsfield, passed away  peacefully on Wednesday June 28, 2017 surrounded by her loving family at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, Danvers, following her brief illness.

Sally McKay was born in Beverly, at home, daughter of the late  William Osborne and Ivy (Lyons) McKay, and  was raised in  their beloved Splinter Hill home on Lakeshore Drive. She graduated from Beverly High School and attended Pine Manor College receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts Studies, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Education with honors from Lesley College in 1951. For several years she was employed as a second grade teacher at the Bowden School in Newton.

Sally was a member and an active volunteer of the Congregational Church of Topsfield where she taught Sunday school in the late 1960’s and early 70’s.

Many happy memories were made during the summers at West Beach in Prides Crossing, annual trips to visit her sister in Pennsylvania and road trips with husband Edgar across the country to visit friends and family in the mid-west and Florida.

Sally was considered by those who knew her as the definition of kindness. Her empathy, kindness, laughter and fine spirit were always available for those in need. The Grandchildren and her husband maintain that she was the best back tickler in the entire world.  

In addition to her husband Edgar of sixty-four years, she is survived by two sons, Richard E. Libby and his wife Sheryl of Ipswich, Scott K. Libby of Topsfield; five grandchildren, Benjamin M. Libby, Emily W. Libby, Jenna Libby, Nicole Libby; step granddaughter, Alicia Didio; a sister, Jean Cleveland of Gloucester and  several nephews and nieces. She was the sister of the late Merle G. Dexter formerly of Rockport.

 Her funeral service  will be held on Sally’s 90^th birthday on  August 9, 2017, 11AM  graveside  in the Hamilton Cemetery, 623 Bay Road, South Hamilton. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. Arrangements are under the direction of the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich.