Elizabeth Ann “Libby” Stern

Virginia Beach- Elizabeth Ann Stern, known by friends and family as Libby, passed away on July 22 at age 91, after a battle with MDS and leukemia. Libby was born on June 26, 1926 in Lexington, North Carolina and was a resident of the Russell House in Virginia Beach when she passed away.

Libby lived in the south for many years before moving to Reading, PA. She attended Reading High School where she was very active in sports, and she worked for several years at Beaumont, Heller & Sperling advertising agency. She met her husband Felix at a resort on Pocono Lake. After marrying, they moved to New York city then Wantagh, NY, where they raised a family and enjoyed tennis, golf, bridge, dancing, and fun family times at Jones Beach, NY, and Lake Winnisquam, NH. She was an active member of Bellmore Presbyterian Church in Bellmore, NY.

At age 87, Libby moved to Virginia Beach to be close to family. She liked to read and enjoyed TV and music. She loved to dance and was known to light up the dance floor – with her husband in earlier years, and later at family weddings and Russell House events. Her energy dancing amazed everyone, even in the last weeks of her life. She was kind and polite to everyone, always a positive and sweet person. She had a quick wit and loved to laugh and joke with everyone.

Libby is survived by her sister: Frances Bernhart in PA; four children: Robert Stern (wife Ann) in VA, Roger Stern in CA, Linda Stern in CA, and Ken Stern in NC (wife Leslie); ten grandchildren: Kimberly Trickett in VA (husband Mark), Michelle Stern in NY, Kathryn Gallagher in NY (husband Andy), Julie Stern in VA, Suzanne Stern in OR, Peter Stern in CA, Michael Maltese in CA, Margaret Maltese in CA, Olivia Stern in NC, and Max Stern in NC; one great-grandson: Connor Trickett in VA, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother Lerlie William Leister, her husband Felix Stern, and her infant daughter Patricia.

The family would like to thank the nurses and caregivers from Heartland Hospice who cared for her in her final months (Calli, Kenya, Ashley, Belinda, Chaplain Dick Dinges, and more), her caregiver Dianne, Dr. Zaidi and staff at Cancer Specialists of Tidewater, and the staff, resident’s association, and friends at the Russell House. Because of their love and care, Libby was able to remain at home and pass peacefully in her own bed with friends and family at her side.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm on Saturday July 29 at Altmeyer Funeral home, 1801 Baltic Ave, Virginia Beach. Cremation Society of Virginia is handling services. vacremationsociety.com

Donations in Libby’s memory may be made to the Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) Foundation (www.mds-foundation.org) or the Russell House Residents Association.