LELAND — Elizabeth Ann Robinson Newton, 79, of Leland, NC, passed away peacefully at her residence on January 24, 2025. Born on August 8, 1945, in Lancaster, SC, she was the daughter of the late John Connie Robinson and Elizabeth Adams Robinson.
Libby is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Peter Jack Newton Jr., of Leland, NC; her children, Tara Elizabeth Newton Jennette and spouse, Michael William, of Garner, NC, and Peter Jack Newton III and spouse, Kristin Hart, of Huntersville, NC; and her cherished grandchildren, Jackson Patrick Newton of Boston, MA; Benjamin Newton Jennette of Raleigh, NC; Jeremy Christian Newton of Huntersville, NC; and Mallory Elizabeth Jennette of Garner, NC. She is also survived by her brother, John Connie Robinson Jr. and spouse, Adrienne Parker Robinson, of New London, NC, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Libby grew up in Lancaster, SC, and attended Buford High School, graduating in 1963. A dedicated educator all of her life, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC in 1967, and a Master’s in Education with a special emphasis in intellectual disability from North Carolina Central University in Raleigh, NC in 1995. She began her career teaching elementary school students in Beaufort, SC and continued to substitute teach while raising her children in Delaware and in Europe. She taught populations with special needs at Coastal Center in Summerville, SC and at Murdoch Center in Butner, NC. From 1988 until 2002 she shared her wealth of knowledge as a training coordinator for Murdoch Center and worked across the state of North Carolina.
In 1966 she met her college roommate’s brother. She married Pete on June 18, 1967, in Lancaster, SC. Together they shared a life filled with love and adventure. During his career in the Air Force they took full advantage of living across the United States and overseas in Taiwan, Germany and England. She found joy in traveling extensively with her family and while leading many tour groups across Europe and into areas that at that time were beyond the “Iron Curtain”. She was a warrior during her fight with pancreatic cancer. Her adventurous spirit could not be held back, even taking a two week trip to Greece and Turkey a year into her treatments.
Libby was an artist and creator at heart. During her life she spent her spare time with numerous and varied hobbies from toll painting, doll making, sewing, refinishing furniture, pottery, cultivating beautiful gardens, creating intricate quilts and repurposing just about anything. She also was an avid reader, enjoyed kayaking, sailing, walking and biking.
She left an indelible mark on all who knew her. Libby will be remembered for her loving spirit and her strong faith that buoyed her during these last years. She took every opportunity to help others through volunteering, visiting, cooking and writing countless encouraging notes. May her memory bring comfort to those she loved and inspired.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Wake Forest Baptist Church in Wake Forest, NC at 1pm on Saturday, February 1, 2025. The service will be broadcast live on the Wake Forest Baptist Church YouTube channel and can also be viewed at a later date. The family will receive visitors following the service during a reception in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the American Cancer Society in Libby’s honor.
