Elizabeth Catherine Giffels' Obituary
Elizabeth Catherine (Hubbard) Giffels was born June 20, 1934 to Joseph and Margaret Alice (Graffy) Hubbard in Royal Oak, Michigan. She and her sister Barbara were raised there and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School. Elizabeth “Libby” worked for Michigan Bell Telephone until her marriage to John Louis Giffels in 1956. They lived in Clawson and then Rochester Hills and Rochester, raising four children. Libby was active in the St. Andrews Catholic Church community, the Rochester Garden Club, and the Michigan Antique Boat Club. She was an expert sewist, loom weaver, and avid knitter. She also loved to swim and did so three days a week, well into her eighties. Libby and John’s holiday celebrations, yard parties and dinner gatherings with friends and family are cherished memories. Whether it was lawn bowling, ice skating, volleyball or just dinner, she was always the gracious hostess.
In 2021, they moved to Mecosta, Michigan to the Royal View Retirement Community for assistance and to be closer to family. After John’s death in 2024, she continued to live at Royal View, enjoying their care and activities, and spending time with family. In her spare time, Libby made countless blankets, hats, scarves and mittens, which were all donated to local charities in Mecosta County. Her inclusion in the St Michael’s Catholic community in Remus, Michigan was very important to her.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her parents, in-law parents, sister, sister-in-law Sally (Giffels) Pyle, and beloved husband.
She is survived by her children Joe (Norman Lieberman) Giffels, Catherine (Mark) Chapman, Susan (Tim Kamp) McBroom, and David (Sandee) Giffels. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, and two nieces.
Family kindly asks memorial contributions be directed to Royal View in Mecosta, Michigan or Heartland Hospice of Fremont, Michigan.
Funeral mass and celebration of life details are pending.
Care and arrangements have been entrusted to Janowicz Family Funeral Home in Remus, Michigan.
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