Obituary of Elizabeth M. Neithercut

Neithercut, Elizabeth M. Petoskey, Michigan Elizabeth (Libby) Mary Neithercut passed away on Saturday, August 31 at the age of 94 after a short illness. She was born on March 15, 1925 to Albert and Anna Koegel in Flint, Michigan. Libby attended Sullins College in Bristol Virginia, the University of Michigan, and Hurley School of Nursing. She studied hospital administration at Wayne State University. After graduation, she was the nursing supervisor at the Flint City Hospital. After her marriage to Edward Neithercut in 1950, Libby raised four children and, in addition to her family obligations, devoted herself to volunteer and civic leadership. Over a twenty year span she served in various local and national volunteer roles with the American Red Cross, including being appointed as the Mid-West Regional Chair of Volunteers. A longtime supporter of the Flint Institute of Art, Libby served for many years as a member of the FIA Board of Trustees, including serving as its President. She was an honorary FIA Trustee at the time of her passing. One of Libby's proudest achievements was her role in conceiving and funding the FIA's Rubens Society, a high-level membership group. During her life-long volunteer career, she served in various leadership roles at the Flint Junior League, Flint YWCA, Adrian College (Trustee), Court Street Methodist Church, Girl Scouts, PEO, Flint Public Library, and the Concerned Citizens for the Arts in Michigan (Board member). Of special note, she received the special honor of the Nina Mills Woman of Distinction Award in 2002 from the Flint YWCA. Since 1953, Libby spent the summers at her beloved cottage in Bay View, a Chautauqua on Michigan's Little Traverse Bay. There she again served in many volunteer roles including nine years on the Board of Trustees, most of that time as Secretary. During and after her Trustee years, Libby was an active member of the Recreation Committee, as she believed strongly in the role that the Boys & Girls Club played in the future of Bay View. Prior to becoming a Trustee, Libby served as chair of the Bay View Library for many years, which provided her the opportunity to spend the Winter identifying books to be purchased for the Library that Summer. This was a perfect fit, as Libby was a lifetime bibliophile who liked nothing better than a good book and a quiet afternoon. In order to share her passion with the next generation, she was a certified Junior Great Books instructor, and she tutored non-readers in elementary school. After moving to Traverse City in 2002, Libby volunteered at the Central Methodist Church, and she and Edward delivered Meals on Wheels to the elderly until she was 88. Libby was always up for the next adventure, always laughing, smiling, welcoming, warm and friendly. Libby never needed to be the center of attention, yet when she spoke: people listened. Her opinions were thoughtful and reflected the concerns of others. Quick witted and realistic, Libby was unafraid to support what she thought was right, in spite of opposition. In all she did, Libby was respected. She is survived by her husband Edward, and her children Mark Neithercut (Helen), Carol Neithercut (Nancy Craig), David Neithercut (Suzu) and Peter Neithercut (Susan); her four grandchildren Emi Brook (Parker), Ben Neithercut, Rachel Neithercut, and Kristen Neithercut; and her great-granddaughter Yuki Elizabeth Brook. Libby was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, often putting her own interests aside to support her family. Libby was loved by all who knew her and will be greatly missed. A celebration of her life is planned in Bay View in July 2020. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bay View Association Waterfront Improvement Project, P.O. Box 583, Petoskey, Michigan, 49770.