Libby B Fischer

On Saturday, April 1st, 2023, Libby Fischer passed away after fighting a hard battle against a number of health-related issues over the past few years. Libby’s passing came just one short hour after she was able to celebrate her 88th birthday, surrounded by her loving family.

Libby was born in the Bronx, New York on March 31st, 1935. She was the second child and the only daughter of Samuel and Frieda Brook and younger sister to her beloved brother Maynard (“Mendy” to those close to him), whose infectious laughter and sense of humor were carried on through his little sister’s deep appreciation of a great punch line. Libby would often share memories of her time spent growing up around close cousins in the Bronx, many of whom lived in the same apartment complex. Libby’s memories of that time were filled with love, laughter, and many a game of gin rummy, where Libby first discovered her lifelong passion for cards and games, a passion she passed on to her children and grandchildren. It was also in the Bronx that Libby first met her husband, Donald Fischer, with whom she shared a life with for more than 62 years before his passing in 2016. Libby was also proud to be ahead of her time as a working woman of her generation, often sharing memories of her role as an executive secretary for the Suffolk County Chief Medical Examiner’s Office.

After retiring, Libby and her husband Donald moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1992 to be closer to their first grandchild who had been born a few years prior (and if she was being really honest, admittedly to get away from the cold east coast winters). After settling in Tucson, Libby became actively involved as a member of her local Brandeis chapter, often helping lead the yearly book drive, at one point, taking on the role of president. Libby also developed a deep appreciation for the desert and loved spending time in her beautiful backyard, always appreciating a Tucson sunset and delighting in the quick appearance of a gentle hummingbird, the brief sighting of a roadrunner “crossing the road”, or the scent left behind by a group of chubby javelinas. After the passing of her husband, Don, Libby was able to find her final home at Villa Hermosa, where she was fortunate to be surrounded by a close community of loving friends (also avid game players) and caretakers until her final days.

Above all, anyone who knew her knew that Libby loved nothing more than to spend time with her family and close friends, many of whom she had stayed close to since her childhood, an especially impressive feat given the absence of cell phones and social media for most of her life! In addition, Libby was always filled with joy anytime she could spend time with her grandchildren, whether playing a game of cards (Libby was quite the card shark and was rarely known to show mercy during a tight game), taking her grandchildren on endless rides on the carousel, watching a classic movie musical (Fiddler on the Roof was always a go to in her home), or preparing a home cooked seder for all her loved ones on the High Holidays.

Libby is preceded in death by her loving husband Donald and her brother Maynard, and is survived by her beloved daughters and son-in-laws, Melany, Joy, Michael and Rob, close cousins “Little Libby”, Minna, and Philip, the lights of her life, her grandchildren Marley, Sam, and Faith, and her cherished and always close circle of extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, family ask that donations be made in Libby’s name to a cause you are passionate about. For donations inspired by Libby, she particularly loved and wanted to take care of her natural environment and those who were less fortunate than herself. She was also always willing to provide a warm meal or good book to those who might enjoy both.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.eastlawnpalmsmortuary.com for the Fischer family.