Elizabeth France

ELIZABETH "LIBBY" WAY FRANCE, age 90, died November 28, 2009. She was the beloved wife of the late Edward A. France, Jr. Dear daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Charles T. Way. Dear mother of Ruth A. Litchfield fo Lexington, MA, Helen France Halle Alvah Chisholm Halle of Bratenahl, OH and Edward A. France, III of Cleveland Heights, OH. Dear grandmother of Katherine A. Litchfield; C. Robert Litchfield, Elizabeth M. France, Edward A. France IV and Thomas J. France. The family prefers that those who wish may make contributions in her name to The Cleveland Museum of Art, 11150 E. Blvd., Cleveland, OH 44106 or to the Memorial Fund of Fairmount Presbyterian Church, 2757 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights, OH 44118, where Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, March 14 at 4:00 PM. Libby was a well known knitting and needle arts instructor and judge in the greater Cleveland area. She was born in Fox Lake, Wisconsin on March 10, 1918 to Dr. and Mrs. Charles T. Way, and spent much of her childhood in Wisconsin. Libby graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1935 and from Denison University in 1939 with a major in English. She was, until her death, an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta and the YWC. She was an enthusiastic member of Fairmount Presbyterian Church, Town and Country Garden Club, Dunham Tavern, and the Textile Arts Association of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Libby was an avid curling enthusiast, both on the pebbles and off. She regularly participated in national and international bonspiels at the Cleveland Skating Club. She was a terrific competitor and enjoyed the sport immensely. Probably her first athletic love was tennis. Libby was a regular at the Cleveland Skating Club for both the outdoor and indoor season. She was always in the mix for the club championship, and one year broke through and won both. Libby always found time for a round of golf with her husband, whether at a local course or during their many trips to New England. She was a lifelong bridge player and participated vigorously in many Master tournaments. She was also an avid traveler, and equally enjoyed trips in the US , as well as abroad. Libby's professional career spanned working for the Cleveland Trust Band and Stouffers to her multi decade career as a needle arts instructor and judge. She was an active teacher at Higbee's Fairhill Home for the Elderly, SELREC, Fine Points, as well as private lessons. Libby was a regular judge for both the Cuyahoga and the Geauga County Fairs in all areas of needlework and knitting. Every spring you could find Libby on the beach walking with the sunrise, whether at Delray, Ft. Myers, or Sanibel/Captiva Islands. She never came home empty handed from shelling. That was a gift only she possessed. To date this still confuses her children! If Libby was not out shelling or walking the beach, you could always find her tanning if you listened for the clicking of her knitting needles.


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