Mary Elisabeth “Libby” Washburn

Mary Elisabeth “Libby” Washburn, 76, of Kokomo, passed away at 7:21 pm on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at her home. She was born on September 23, 1948, daughter of Robert Warren “Bob” and Mary Elizabeth (Butler) Hamilton in Indianapolis, IN. On March 31, 2005, she married Brian Christopher “Chris” Washburn in Kokomo, and he survives.

Libby was a 1966 graduate of Kokomo High School and earned a bachelor's degree of library science from Ball State University. She worked as librarian at Kokomo Howard County Public Library and the Bookmobile where she curated the children’s book selections and worked as a social worker for Area 5 legal aid, Windsor Estates, and the FSSA office. She also worked as a bookkeeper for Blondie’s Cookies. Libby was a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism where she studied Medieval History and was a member of the Medieval Reenactment Club, and a member of the Kokomo Civic Theater and the Carriage House Division of the drama department of Indiana University Kokomo. Her roles in the drama department included playing both sisters in Arsenic and Old Lace. Libby was known for her singing in choir with the Civic Theater and in other organizations.

Along with her husband, Chris Washburn, she is survived by her sister, Nancy (Ron) Hamilton Sowder; brothers, Rob (Nancy) Hamilton and Terry (Debbie) Hamilton; stepdaughter, Myra (Lewis) Fahnestock Jones; and grandsons, Alexander Jones and Liam Jones; many nieces and one nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister.

A memorial service celebrating Libby’s life will be held at 4 pm on Friday, June 27, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Rd, Kokomo. Friends are invited to visit with the family from 2 pm until the time of the service at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society in Libby’s memory, www.cancer.org. Messages of condolences may be left at www.shirleyandstout.com.

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