Carlene Della Libbey

Carlene "Della" Libbey, a resident of Bridgewater, NH for the past 16 years, passed away on June 15, 2020, following a period of failing health. Della was born August 17, 1939 in the Old Town of Hill, NH. Della was born to Larry "Fess" and Millie Jewell, making her appearance into this world right on the dining room table in a manner that would forever reflect her impulsive and humorous personality. Della was educated in Louisiana, Texas, and finished school in Oklahoma. Della later married the love of her life, Earl "Joe" Benjamin Libbey, and settled in Wentworth, NH. Della worked for many years at Freudenburg, formerly known as IPC, where she retired. Those who knew Della were fortunate to have a special friend. She had a sunny personality with the ability to see the good in everyone and had an uncanny ability to make everyone laugh and find the good in even the worst of situations. Della was particular about looking her best, making sure her hair was perfect, and her jewelry matched her impeccable outfits, even if it was a quick run to the store. Della was a wonderful homemaker and cook, especially when it came to baking pies; a skill she learned from her mother. Della was particularly close to her only sibling, Marlene Johns, whom she spoke with every day on the phone. Della would accompany Marlene and her family on summer vacations and would follow them to every naval duty station from coast to coast. Her two nieces and nephew were particularly fond of her and anxiously awaited her arrival for visits, challenging her to board games that she wholeheartedly enjoyed playing with them. Della was also known for her generosity and kindness towards everyone, despite how well she knew them. She had an overwhelming love for animals, especially her dog Angel, who she was inseparable from. Della had one son, Joe Libbey, who was her absolute world and who showed HER the world through his travels, bringing her unique treasures from places he visited. She was also a "bonus" mother to Nancy Hicks and Freeda Rhoades, and loved them like they were her own children, always keeping a no judgement zone and offering nothing but positive words of encouragement. Della was predeceased by her husband, "Joe" Libbey in 2003, and her parents, Larry and Millie Jewell. Della's family include her son, Joe Libbey of Bridgewater, NH, sister Marlene Johns and her husband Ron of Freedom, NH, bonus children Nancy Hicks and her husband Gary of Franklin, NH and Freeda Rhoades of MO, her nieces Lisa Eshelman and her husband Jim of Freedom, NH and Audrey Sonka of OR, nephew Larry Johns and his wife Mitchell of CA, great niece Anna Eshelman of OR, great nephew Evan Eshelman of MO, grand children Brandon Turner and his wife Tanya of Allenstown, Erin Hill of Franklin, NH; Hannah and Libbey Hicks of Franklin, NH, Casey Kelley and his wife Regina and Thomas Kelley of OK. Great grandkids Zoey and Izabell Kelly of Ok and Anna Smith of OK, great great grandchildren Asher and Jack of OK. and two great grandchildren, Jaxon and Kendyl Turner. A private graveside service for family will be held at a later date.

Tributes

Carlene Della Libbey

August 17, 1939 - June 15, 2020