Elizabeth Walsh Gottlieb (Libba), a native and lifelong resident of Mobile, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, November 9, 2021. Libba was born in Mobile on March 13, 1925, the daughter of Richard Lucian Walsh and Margaret Duffy Walsh. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Carl Robert (Bobby) Gottlieb, her sister, Rebecca W. Sparks (Harry Gordon), her brother, Richard Lucian Walsh, Jr., and her sister, Loraine Walsh Lott (Victor H.). She is survived by her children, Carl Robert Gottlieb, Jr. (Cathy) and Richard Stannus Gottlieb (Jaime) of Mobile and Mary Elizabeth O’Connor (Dennis) of Sea Island Georgia and two grandchildren, Elizabeth Lane Gottlieb and Emily Laurel Gottlieb. Libba is also survived by her loyal friend Deanna Crozier who stayed by her side until the end.
As a child, Libba developed a love for animals, always having dogs or horses as pets. She cherished trips with her Father and Mother to New Orleans, Washington, D.C. and New York City. She was a devoted little sister to Lorraine and Beck and she always lamented the loss of her older brother, R.L. whom she never knew. Libba grew up in Ashland Place attending the Visitation Monastery and Fairfax Hall College in Waynesboro, Virginia. After graduation, she taught at the Convent of Mercy for several years. Libba loved the beach, spending every opportunity at the Gulf and was particularly fond of yearly trips to Sea Island with her family. She loved to celebrate birthdays, holidays and especially Mardi Gras! She was the life of the party, enjoying many of her birthday celebrations in New Orleans, which was a long family tradition. Libba looked forward to weekends at Gulf Pines, trips with the Rowdy Group, her weekly Rosary and The Lunch Bunch. When Bobby Gottlieb returned from World War II, he swept Libba off her feet and they were married 39 years until Bobby’s death. He was truly the love of her life. Libba was full of love for her granddaughters and could not have been more proud of them. She was a great horse and golf Mom and was delighted with her children's accomplishments in life. Libba was a devout Catholic, proud of her Irish heritage, loved her sweets and daily martini! She was a lifelong member of the Country Club of Mobile, a sustaining member of the Junior League of Mobile and a member of several Mystic societies. She was a member of St. Ignatius Church for almost 70 years at the time of her death.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. in the St. Ignatius Old Sanctuary on Friday, November 12, 2021. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. followed by a private family burial at Old Springhill Cemetery.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to her dearest friend Deanna Crozier, primary caregiver, Johnnita Burden, as well as to Jill Winstead and Verlean Powe, Hospice and her caregivers. The family requests donations to St. Ignatius Church, 3704 Spring Hill Avenue, Mobile, Alabama 36608 or Little Sisters of the Poor, 1655 McGill Avenue, Mobile, Alabama 36604.
Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.
