Elizabeth "Libby" Anne MacLennan

If Libby had any advance notice, she would have written her obituary as a poem, since she was the self-appointed Poet Laureate for every occasion. Elizabeth "Libby" Anne MacLennan died on December 17, 2022 in QEII Health Sciences Centre. She was born on January 14, 1953 in Sydney, and was the third of seven children of the late Dr. Neil Kenneth and Fay (MacLellan) MacLennan. As a young woman she was a trendsetter, adventurer and a total rule-breaker - just ask Ainslie, her co-conspirator. Libby had a casual yet confident way of moving through life, knowing exactly what she wanted and making it happen. What a gift. After graduating from Sydney Academy, Libby continued her studies at King’s College, St. FX and Mount Saint Vincent, acquiring an eclectic and cherished crew of incredible lifelong friends, who were always up for a nightcap and a late-night dance party. She was a devoted traveler, volunteering in Sri Lanka with Crossroads, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with family members, mentoring teachers in Abu Dhabi and Belize, following her kids to England and Australia, and buzzing off to France, Spain and Italy. And within those travels, adventuring was always near: skydiving, skiing, zip-lining, waterskiing, hiking, beach walks, theater, dinners, you name it. One thing is for sure, she would have made ten new friends on her travels and invited them to stay at Armcrescent West to gather around her woodstove. As an educator, Libby was passionate about teaching and her creativity in the classroom was unparalleled. She once wrote a rap so her students could remember their multiplication tables. For over 35 years she touched countless lives in the Halifax area - teachers and students alike - at Hillside, Oxford and Joseph Howe Elementary schools, retiring as principal from St. Mary’s Elementary. Libby believed there was Fun Everywhere. Summer on the Mira was the beginning of it all. She was the first to put the music on, first on the dance floor. She was the ultimate host, throwing parties and concerts in her home. She had the ability to make every guest feel like they were the brightest star in the room. Phil’s Pics, Book Club, Tarabish Group, Golf Girls, Mary Fay’s stage performances, and the Symphony; she took it all in. In recent years, watching the sunsets on the porch at Caribou was where Libby felt happiest, surrounded by her beloved Philip, family and friends. To the many, many hospital workers who helped Libby during her fight with cancer for those three weeks, we are so deeply indebted for your compassion, communication and skills. Thank you. Libby was adored and will be missed by her partner, Philip Niven; children Colin (Alex Barnes) and Mary Fay (Jamie Kronick). Libby is also survived by siblings, Cathy (John) Snow and their children Jamie (Barbara), Michael (Jill), Alison (Mike) Cogdon and Matthew (Erika Wilson); Scottie (Deborah) and children Kate (Mike) and Mira; Shauna; David (Denise) and children Steve (Lucy), Anna (Sean), Logan, and Cameron; Ginny (Richard) Todd and children Melyssa, and Jesse (Morgan); her brother-in-law, Larry Spears and his children Kristian and Anja (Dustin); as well as 22 great-nieces and nephews. Libby is also survived by Kevin Coady (her children’s father) and the extended Coady family. She will be remembered by her only aunt, Mary (Gordon) Lawley; step aunt, Betty (John) Anderson; the extended Niven family and Libby’s numerous cousins. Two special friends that kept her connected to her roots and to her fun were Ainslie MacNeil Campbell and Betsy Jardine. Libby was predeceased by her sister, Barbie MacLennan Spears in 2004. Libby was so excited to know that Colin and Alex were having their first child: Xavier Charles Coady. We have no doubt that he will continue her legacy. “Love, Love” as Libby would say. There will be a Celebration of Life for Libby held on January 14th from 2-4 p.m. at Ashburn Club House, 3250 Joseph Howe Dr. Live-streaming will be available at 3 p.m. (https://youtu.be\0iWPZlgigpk) Online condolences may be sent to Snow’s Funeral Home at: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com