Obituary of Elizabeth Gwennap

Elizabeth (“Libby”) Todd Gwennap passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 26th, surrounded by her family. Libby is survived by her beloved husband of 46 years, Tim; two sons, Todd and his wife, Jenn, of Warrenton, VA and Ty and his wife, Anna, of Chapel Hill, NC. Libby is also survived by five grandchildren: Jack, Audrey, Raney, Kathryn, and Millie Gwennap. Also surviving are her three siblings, Ann Todd Redler of New Jersey, Marion Alexander Todd, III (and his wife, Frances) of Wilmington, NC, and David Todd (and his wife, Sheri) of Fletcher, NC.

Libby was born on December 30, 1957, at Itazuke Air Base in Fukuoka, Japan. Her Air Force family moved around a bit before finally settling in Asheville, NC in 1963. Libby attended T. C. Roberson High School, where she was a cheerleader and “Miss December” in the school calendar. She graduated from UNC-Asheville in 1980 with dual degrees in Education and Sociology. Throughout her life, Libby wore multiple hats, and she was beloved in each of her roles.

Libby met Tim in 1963 at Arden Presbyterian Church, where they were both members. They began dating in high school and were married in 1978. Their love for one another was truly remarkable. For 46 years, Libby and Tim delighted in each other, especially enjoying romantic dinners and traveling. They spent nearly every waking moment together, and they were each other’s best friend. In her final months, Tim became an attentive and doting caregiver, and when she passed, they were hand in hand, together.

Libby and Tim raised two sons together, and as a mother, Libby was considerate and tender. She and Tim attended every sporting event, every class party, and every theater performance. Libby spent hours on the front porch, watching her boys play in the front yard, and she only occasionally had to yell at them to get off the roof. As her boys grew into adulthood and started families of their own, Libby found no greater joy than helping. Even when her children lived far away, a single phone call could find Libby buying a plane ticket or hopping in the car to go and help them.

Beginning in 2007, Libby found a role in which she excelled when she became “Grammy.” Her five grandchildren brought her profound joy and delight. From her first days as Grammy, Libby became the default babysitter, main cheerleader, and best friend of her grandchildren. From creating pandemic preschool lessons to taking grandchildren to library story time, Libby was ever the consummate teacher and grandmother. Tim and Libby delighted to be involved in their grandchildren’s lives, and their commitment to attendance at games, concerts, and plays carried over to their grandchildren. When the grandchildren got a little older, a highlight of each year became “Grandparent Camp,” a week-long, activity-filled, themed and decorated camp for her grandchildren. When Grammy was diagnosed with cancer during the summer, all treatment was delayed by a week for Grandparent Camp. Libby was the greatest Grammy who ever Grammied. 

In addition to being a devoted wife, doting mother, and amazing grandmother, Libby was also a fierce friend. Beyond her family, Libby found great joy in her friends. Traveling, attending concerts and plays, and meals together were all opportunities for caring and laughter. Wherever Libby was, laughter always followed. Her caring and nurturing made her a true and committed friend. Libby could always be counted on to bring a meal, flowers, or just a sympathetic ear when her friends were in need.

Professionally, Libby had a long and distinguished career as an educator. She taught preschool, elementary school, and ended her career teaching at Cane Creek Middle School. At Cane Creek, Libby started the county's first middle school musical theater program, a program that consistently produced excellent dramatic and musical productions. Libby brought the same devotion to her students that she brought to her children and friends. Many of her students went on to successful careers in performing arts, but Libby’s kindness and devotion is their chief memory of her. She kept in touch with many of her students and made every effort to attend their performances, even when these performances took her to New York City.

Libby was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and teacher, and she will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at Chatham Community Church (1685 Andrews Store Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312) on Saturday, December 7th at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends 1 hour prior and directly following the service. 

Arrangements are in the care of Walker's Funeral Homes 11680 15-501 Chapel Hill, NC 27517 919.942.3861. Online condolences may be shared at www.walkersfuneralservice.com.