Saturday, September 15, 2018 6:02 am

ROCHESTER - Almeda Marguerite Libby, 101, died Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at Rochester Manor with her loving family at her side. Almeda was born August 29, 1917 in Berwick, Maine, a daughter of Frank and Gladys (Gerrish) Whitten.
Almeda attended Berwick Schools and married Clarence Libby. She worked many years for Robert Shoe in Somersworth.
Almeda enjoyed knitting, sewing, cooking, reading, Bingo and puzzles. Most importantly, Almeda loved her family.

Last Christmas The Rochester Voice interviewed Mrs. Libby about what she thought was the true meaning of Christmas.

"It's all about the children, they enjoy it," she said.

And when the Libbys sat down to Christmas dinner, it was a huge production.

"We always had a big Christmas dinner, with turkey and everything, just like Thanksgiving," she said.

Decorating the Christmas tree and the house was also a huge deal, she said.

"We always had a Christmas tree and decorations all over the house," she said. "Everybody pitched in."

Asked what she remembered the most, she reflected a moment then said, "I remember how the house looked, how the tree looked and how the children acted," adding softly, "I used to enjoy it more than I do now, now my children are all grown up."

Almeda Libby recalling Christmases past at the Rochester Manor last December.(Rochester Voice photo)

Amanda was predeceased by her husband, Clarence in 1983, her brother, Frank Whitten, and four sons.
Almeda is lovingly remembered by her sons, David Libby, Frank Libby and Charles Libby and his wife, Marguerite; her daughters, Gladys Coffin, Marseille Richardson, Laura Plaisted and her husband, Bob, Joanne Rita and Mary Lorenzo and her husband, Gordon; and by her extended family of numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.