Mary Elizabeth McCree

Elizabeth (Libby) Lee McCree passed away on June 26, 2022, one day after her 67th wedding anniversary. As she took her last breath, surrounded by family and in the comfort of her own home, she was right where she wanted to be. The years she spent carefully and lovingly creating a home filled with comfort and peace, brought her those very same things as she departed this earth. Libby was a devotee of “to do” lists and it seems fitting that she could finally check off this last very important item on her list.

Libby was born in Orlando, Florida on October 14, 1934, to Donald and Dorothy Lee, gentle and nurturing parents who instilled in their three daughters a sense of family values and a love of all God’s creatures. She is survived by her husband, Douglas (Gene) McCree; children, Laura Lafitte (Ed) of Blue Ridge, GA, Linda Winner (Phillip Hutson) of Pensacola, FL, Douglas Lee McCree (Pam) of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren, Kristin (Felix) Campos, Tiffany McCree, Christopher Lee McCree, Jim Lafitte, Joe Lafitte (Stephanie) and Samara Lafitte; great grandchildren, Connor and Cole Campos, Logan and Kenley Lafitte; sisters, Virginia Porter of Orlando, FL and Margaret Kennedy (David) of Hendersonville, NC.

Libby attended Queens College before leaving school to join the work force and support her husband as he completed medical school. When Gene retired from the Navy in 1966, the couple moved to Naples, Florida - at the time, a sleepy retirement town. Naples proved to be the perfect place to set up Gene’s medical practice and to raise three children.

As a young woman, wife and mother, Libby loved the outdoors, spending time on the tennis courts and in the yard, as well as family time enjoying the gorgeous Gulf sunsets, walking the pristine Naples beaches, and exploring area waterways by boat. Beginning in the 1970’s, especially the year of “the perfect season”, Libby was an avid Miami Dolfan, and surprised family and friends with boisterous cheering for “her boys”!

Libby appreciated music of all genres and over the years could be found dancing through her household chores to the sounds of Andy Williams, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, the Bee Gees, Michael Bublé or Josh Groban. Reading was another passion, so much so that the family celebrated Libby’s 80th birthday with gifts of 80 books, 80 bookmarks and donations of books to various nonprofit groups.

The church was an integral part of McCree family life, and Libby and Gene were active members of First Presbyterian Church of Naples for many years. Early on, Libby joined a group of determined women who began making regular trips to Immokalee; their mission was to improve the quality of life for area children. These efforts evolved into volunteer work with PACE Center for Girls and Immokalee Child Care Center, now known as Pathways Early Education Center of Immokalee.

Life-long friendships were formed as Libby and Gene settled into the Naples medical community. Libby was an enthusiastic member of various service leagues and the Collier County Medical Society Auxiliary. She loved entertaining friends and colleagues, and she reveled in the planning process that went into creating the perfect ambiance for each gathering. Whether it was tweaking a recipe until it was absolutely perfect, or experimenting with color, texture and placement of interesting textiles, unusual collectibles and exotic artwork to create gorgeous tablescapes, Libby’s special and unique touch could be found in the smallest details.

The importance of giving back to the community was ingrained in Libby at an early age, and many community organizations were the fortunate recipients of her efforts over the 56 years she resided in Naples. In addition to church and medical community activities, she could also be counted on to pitch in with the PTA and her children’s scouting activities, as well as other fundraising campaigns. But nearest and dearest to her heart was the time she spent with her beloved Maltese, Mr. Silky, as they visited Alzheimer’s patients as part of Avow Hospice’s pet therapy program. Libby and Silky shared their gentle love and compassion with everyone they met – patients and staff alike. Silky was just one of many four-legged friends that were fortunate to share in Libby’s life. Her love of animals was well known, as was the wish of many friends that they be reincarnated as one of Libby’s beloved pets!

Years of planning and anticipation resulted in a magical and memorable trip to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific to celebrate Libby and Gene’s 30th wedding anniversary. Little did they know that this “once in a lifetime” trip would be just the first of many jaunts around the globe! A passion for gardens and for growing beautiful orchids led to worldwide travels with a group of adventurers brought together by their love of these exotic blooms. Over the years, Libby and Gene traveled extensively throughout Asia and Southern Africa. Libby loved these opportunities to take in the beauty of exotic cities and landscapes. But above all, she cherished the time she spent learning about different cultures.

Although she and Gene enjoyed traveling the globe, just as special were the “Three Sisters Getaways” that Libby took with her dear sisters, Ginny and Midgy. One of her favorite trips was a visit to Minnesota, where the siblings explored the areas where their mother, Dorothy, had spent her younger years. They visited her childhood homes and schools, located in a beautiful historic district, complete with the gas streetlights their mother used to sing about! These trips served to further strengthen the special bond Libby and her sisters shared. Although distance kept them apart in later years, much-anticipated phone calls, letters, and emails kept them close in spirit.

Whether it was stumbling upon a vendor’s interesting wares on the streets of Myanmar, discovering a treasure-filled art gallery in Bali, or finding the perfect gift or decorative item in a Naples consignment shop, Libby loved the thrill of the hunt! She was not a trained designer, but her intuitive sense of placement and artistry were evident throughout the many homes she decorated over the years. She especially loved incorporating the treasures found on her worldwide travels, and the results of her careful planning, both interior and exterior, made guests to her home feel they had stepped into a beautifully exotic world!

Throughout her 87 years, Libby’s special brand of kindness touched countless lives. She had many talents and skills. But most would agree that her greatest gift was the way her unique compliments, encouraging words, beautiful smile and sincere interest in other people’s lives made their day a little brighter, just for having shared a few moments with her. Friends and family knew that often, a chance encounter would inspire others to pass along Libby’s message of kindness, hope and positivity.

As Libby requested, there will be no public memorial service. Instead, the family will share a celebration of her extraordinary life in a small, private gathering to be held later this year in a beautiful, peaceful garden setting. The family welcomes gifts in Libby’s name to one of her favorite nonprofit organizations, including Avow Hospice, First Presbyterian Church of Naples, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society of Naples, Naples Botanical Gardens and Pathways Early Education Center of Immokalee. Or, as Libby put it, “Please give to the charity that makes your heart sing!”