Elizabeth A. “Libby” Peets, 87, Lorain native, Army and federal government retiree

A Mass in memory of retired Army Lt. Col. Elizabeth A. “Libby” Peets, 87, a Lorain native, who died July 4, 2009, will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009, at Saint Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, Reid Avenue and 8th Street, Lorain.

Libby was a descendant of one of Lorain’s pioneering families. She was a granddaughter of the late Captain Julian “Dick” Porter, who achieved a reputation as a daring lake skipper in the days when sailing vessels ruled the lakes. His ship, “The Three Brothers,” was one of the last and most famous vessels on the Great Lakes.

Libby served in the Navy for two years after graduating from Saint Mary’s Academy in 1939.

She continued her education at the University of Miami, where she earned a bachelor of arts in music. Libby, who had a beautiful soprano singing voice, often performed at weddings and funerals.

Soon after that, Libby was recalled by the Navy. She transferred to the Women’s Army Corps where she achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

She served in many locations in the United States and abroad, including West Point Academy and Germany.

After her discharge from the Army in 1969, she worked for the government at the Pentagon. She retired from the government in 1984.

In 1991, she moved from Alexandra, Va., to Sebastian, Fla., where she was a member of Saint Sebastian Catholic Church.

She is survived by her sister, Jane Irene Peets Vecchio of Avon, Ohio; her niece, Mary Jane Barile of Euclid, Ohio; grand-niece and –nephew, Jennifer and Thomas Barile, both of Euclid; cousin, Ann Ginnane of Lorain; and other cousins from the Brown and Reidy families, descendants of Captain Porter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas A. and Juliet F. “Frank” (nee Porter) Peets; and sisters, Mary Margaret Michaud, who died last year, and Juliet F. Peets, who died in 2006.

Memorial contributions: Saint Mary’s Choice Food Pantry, 309 West 7th Street, Lorain, OH 44052; or Covenant House, Times Square Station, P.O. Box 731, New York, NY 10108-0900.

Arrangements: Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, Lorain.

This obituary was prepared by family, edited by ObitsOhio.com and originally posted on ObitsOhio.com on July 28, 2009.