1957-2020

 

 

 

 

Libby Ladd passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 17. With 22 years of service working at Duke, she was most recently Senior Program Coordinator in the Center for Nursing Research at the Duke University School of Nursing. As her obituary noted, her greatest joy was being a grandmother. She is survived by her son and daughter, their spouses and six grandchildren.

As a co-worker, Libby ignited a sense of calm with the simple act of smiling when you said hello. For many, it is difficult to remain kind in challenging situations but not for Libby. Libby was the personification of grace under pressure. Expressive and composed, we marveled at her everlasting respect for those with whom she worked. We will remember her smile, the twinkle in her bright blue eyes, and will remain forever grateful to have been guests in her life’s story.

With the following, we celebrate her life and pay tribute to her memory.

 

Tributes

A Letter to Libby from the Stats Core

Dear Libby,

We will remember your grace, smile and patience as you watched us intensely debate the pros and cons of propensity scores, latent class trajectories and controlling for pesky confounds during meetings. After several moments, you would always gently guide us back to the agenda. You were our glue from day one when our Statistics Core was established five years ago. You took care of us like a mother, and you kept us moving forward. Most importantly, you seemed to understand us. Statisticians can be an odd bunch, and our people skills are not the best. You brought a sense of humanity to our gathering. 

You listened and took careful notes, as we sorted through requests for statistical services, and made decisions as to how best serve the DUSON community. The end result was those kind emails “From Libby Ladd, On Behalf of the Statistics Core” sent to update investigators with requests. Although we were good at building and interpreting complex analytic models to explain variable relationships, you were good at helping us understand human interactions. You were a valued member of our team. We appreciated your perspective, and we respected your input.

We will miss your spirit, for you always saw the positive in people. We will miss your direction, for you centered and guided us. We will miss your laugh, for you always found something in the moment to celebrate. We will miss the stories about the grandkids, for they had a special place in your heart. You were our friend, and we will miss your presence.

Friends forever,

Susan, Shein, Dan, Qing and Wei

 

Dear Libby,

I still can’t believe I won’t see you again. I knew I could count on you to start my day with a smile. I will always remember you for your kindness, professionalism and quite reserved manner (as well as your great fashion and hair!). Often we walked up the hill together in the morning. You were an early bird and so hard-working. Your strong devotion to your faith and family came through in your daily work effort and ethic. As I spoke with so many of your colleagues the day you passed on, I became even more aware of all the lives in DUSON that you touched and how many loved and respected you. I am honored to have been able to be included in that group of colleagues over the past few years. Rest, my friend. You are missed.

- Paula Tanabe

 

I first met Libby during my interview for my job. She and Karen Judge took me to lunch. Libby was polite but a bit quiet. She smiled the entire time and portrayed strong collegiality. I know it would be a pleasure to work with her, and it was my honor to become her supervisor in January of this year. Libby was proud of the work she did at DUSON. It was important for her to contribute value to the mission. She possessed determination, commitment, loyalty and flexibility. She was passionate about what she believed was right or wrong. She was honest and to the point but always the consummate colleague. I’ll never forget our first one-on-one as supervisor-supervisee. She raised her eyebrows a little, and, with a slight tilt of her lip, she told me I could not be wishy-washy with her, that I needed to be a strong leader. She also told me that “everything we do impacts the person before and the person after.” She said because of that “the most important thing is that we all respect each other.” Thanks for that advice, Libby Ladd. I will cherish it and our time together forever. If she were here today, I feel like she would tell me that this is how things are, beautiful and sometimes terrible, and not to be afraid to keep going.

-Christin Daniels

 

Libby,

Ever since I came to DUSON six years ago, I was so impressed with your careful, systematic approach to everything you did. Your desk was pristine! Every time I passed your office in the Pearson CNR, you were busy working at that desk and yet always greeted me with your bright smile — such a great way to start my day. I am so glad I got to know and work with you. Your presence made DUSON a better place.

- Marion Broome

 

I loved "my Libby," so much, and she knew it! I called her "my Libby," and she loved for me to call her that. I told her every day that I loved her, and she told me that she loved me. I have so many special memories of Libby and our friendship, and we traveled together on each other’s trips by texts and phone and always made sure we got to our destinations safely and returned home safely. I would track her flights and know exactly when I would hear from her, and she did the same with me. I can't imagine my life without Libby in it. I am devastated by her tragic death. We shared so many of the same beliefs and were in church and Sunday school together. Libby loved her children and grandchildren so much, and they loved her, too. Her greatest love was her family. Libby and I laughed, complained, cried together and shared so many wonderful times. Libby loved singing in the choir. She had the most beautiful voice and love of God, and it showed! She loved the song "Blessings" by Laura Story. I always told her she sang it better than Laura Story, and she did. My life was blessed by Libby every day. I will continue to be blessed to have the memory of her in my heart! I love you, "my Libby."

-Revonda Huppert

 

Libby, You will be greatly missed by the PhD students at DUSON. We already miss your smiling and your warm demeanor. Condolences to your family during their time of loss and grieving.

Sincerely,

La'Kita Knight, PhD student

 

Libby was a joy to be around. She was always there to lend a helping hand and took great care in her work.

 

I knew Libby from other positions at Duke before we both joined DUSON a few months apart. Her reputation for kindness preceded her. Libby’s beautiful spirit made me treasure each interaction and moment with her. A true woman of God, she was an angel among us, and it was a gift to have known her. I will miss Libby so and remember her and her warm smile always.

-Crystal Arthur

 

I am deeply saddened with the loss of our dear colleague, Libby Ladd. What I will cherish the most about Libby is her total devotion to family. I often sat in her office after a weekend and listened to her talk about what she did with her grandchildren over the weekend. When she traveled to visit her family, she expressed her excitement in terms of what she did with her children and grandchildren. She taught me the importance of family and also that sharing our family experiences makes us richer as we learn from one another. I want the family to know that she shared her most precious experiences with us and loved you so. She will be truly missed.  

-Marilyn Hockenberry

 

I worked with Libby on the fourth floor at the School of Nursing. At that time, we were on the top floor and isolated from the rest of the building. Those of us that worked there called it the "floor going nowhere." Libby always joined in our fun and laughter and the tricks we played on each other. We all shared our dreams and things we loved. Libby's was getting to go visit her grandchildren and telling funny things they did. I will miss her professionalism, beautiful smile and willingness to always help me with my computer and copy machine, which I always messed up when I had to print. We lost a gem of a team worker, and I will never forget her.

 

When I came to DUSON for my second interview, Libby was the first person I met at DUSON. I had corresponded with her in regards to the scheduling and directions to meet her, and she was so kind and caring. A warm smile welcomed me to the school. I always remembered how important that first impression was for me! Each time we crossed paths, she always greeted me with a smile and a "Hi, Heather." Libby was such a beautiful person — inside and out. She will be dearly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with all of Libby's loved ones.

 

Libby will truly be missed in the hearts of many that she uplifted and brought light to. Her sweet smile and kindness will always be remembered. She will never be forgotten.

 

I will miss her warm hellos, bright smile and kindness.

- Karin

 

Libby was always so kind, helpful and professional. I am grateful I got to work with her at DUSON. She will be missed!

 

Whenever I think about Libby, the word "kind" pops up. I had the privilege to work with Libby since 2015. She was the only non-statistician in the Statistics Core, but she was really the person who glued us together. Every Tuesday when we went to the stats core meeting, Libby was always the first one in the conference room to make sure everything was set up properly. She sent the meeting agendas and minutes and took care of all the tedious little things for stats core, so we could focus on just being a statistician. She was always so patient with everyone, and you always saw her smile. Sometimes, I just feel like she did not treat this as a job but really tried to take care of all the team members just like she took care of her grandchildren. It's very hard to imagine returning back to school without Libby in the same hallway. But I know she is watching, so I will make sure to behave.

With lots of love,

Qing

 

To the friends and family of Libby, I send you positive thoughts and prayers of comfort. We experienced her as being kind, warm and always professional. She will be missed, and I am thankful we got to experience her light. My condolences.

 

I will miss Libby's composure and grace.

 

I only had the pleasure of interacting with Libby a small bit, but she was so warm and encouraging. Libby was incredibly helpful in the Center for Nursing Research as I was preparing to submit my doctoral student grant, and I just remember how much her kindness was an antidote to a particularly stressful time. She made everything so much easier, and we will miss her warmth and contagious smile around our school. May she rest in peace.

 

I will miss Libby's kindness and her warm smile. She was such a wonderful support to many faculty and students. She will be so dearly missed.

 

Libby's smile lit up the hallways of Duke School of Nursing. She so freely gave of her time and served others with such love. She is already missed by so many. Sending my love to her family and friends.

 

Libby was always so kind! I left every interaction with her feeling better than I had previously. My heart goes out to her family.

 

I still have not fully accepted this incredibly sad news. I am still expecting to talk or text with you to see how you are and just chat. I picture seeing you walk in the office with your large lunch bag over your shoulder, always looking so polished and professional. I will miss you my dear friend. My world will not be the same without you. I thank you for leaving your beautiful mark and being such a good friend. I find comfort knowing you are in loving arms above.

– Julie

 

Libby only acted with professionalism, every day, with perfection. If professionalism was her goal, Libby achieved this goal earning only gold stars. Libby made professionalism look easy. As I worked more with Libby, I came to know it was the Light of Christ that sourced Libby’s acts of professionalism. She proclaimed the Lord Jesus Christ to be King of All Kings every day, every day, every day. The Light of Christ is the divine energy, power and influence that proceeds from God through Christ and gives life and light to all things. I believe that the Light of Christ has always been Libby’s superpower.

 

I am a faculty member and remember seeing Libby on a regular basis when she worked on my side of the building a few years ago. She always had a big smile for me and was friendly and helpful. We will miss her!

 

Your compassionate smile will always be remembered. May your family find peace during a time of great loss.

Blessings,

Tony Snipes

 

Libby was positive, professional, helpful and kind. Duke was lucky to have had her for so many years. We will miss her and her bright smile. Prayers and peace to your family.

 

Many times we would arrive at the GC parking lot around the same time and park beside each other. I would always notice and ask her how she kept her car so clean. We would walk up the hill to DUSON chatting away. She moved much faster than I did up that hill!

 

Libby was so kind and warm and always went out of her way to be helpful. She greeted me with a smile every morning when I walked past her office. She will be dearly missed.

 

Libby, what a dear, sweet lady you were to me since I first came to DUSON. Your kindness and our conversations had always been uplifting, and I appreciated your candor on where you stood spiritually. I’m blessed to have known you and know you are walking hand-in-hand with your #1. Thank you for sharing your mother/grandmother side with the School of Nursing.

 

Libby, I will always cherish the times you sang with the Nightingales. It was so much fun, and your voice was so lovely.  You were a good friend and someone I could always count on to answer questions and help with the little frustrations of the day.  I loved having you right outside my office for those years. You left us way too soon. I will miss you.

- Jane Blood-Siegfried

 

Dear the family of Ms. Ladd,

Please accept my deepest condolences. Ms. Ladd was so supportive and kind to us PhD students. Her beautiful smile and presence will be missed by so many of us. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Best regards,

Hideyo Tsumura

 

I remember when Libby first arrived at DUSON and worked as a staff assistant in the MSN Program with Brenda Nevidjon. Her bright smile lifted your spirit even when there was chaos all around you. Over the years it had been pure joy to celebrate special times with her, such as the birth of her first grandchild. She loved her family so much and always inquired about my family too. I will definitely miss seeing Libby at DUSON.

- Midge

 

I've encountered many amazing people throughout my career journey at Duke, and Libby is certainly included in this group. Her strong work ethics and professional demeanor were so contagious and inspiring. She was so proud to be a grandmother and often shared with me pictures and fond memories of her grandchildren. I am going to miss her smiling face at DUSON.

- Laverne

 

I enjoyed working with Libby over the years. She had a great laugh and was a joy to be around. She will be missed.

Sending prayers for peace,

Jennifer Chamberlain

 

Dear Libby,

You were such a joy to be around. You were always so kind and happy. Your smile and bright spirit will be immensely missed at DUSON. May your soul rest in perfect peace. Sincerely,

Tolu Oyesanya

 

Dear Libby,

How many times did I come to the CNR looking for someone or something? You graciously took pity on me and steered me in the right direction. You never seemed distracted or irritated. You made it seem like it was your pleasure to help me. I always suspected that you made everyone feel this way. We are all less for your no longer being with us. I will miss you.

Sincerely,

Janice Humphreys

 

I will always remember Libby for her kindness and gentle spirit! She knew that my daughter had a chronic health condition and never failed to ask me how she was doing. I loved meeting her in the parking lot to walk into the building as that 10-minute walk lifted my day. I will miss my friend.

- Margie Molloy

 

Libby was the consummate professional who excelled at her job, but, more importantly, she was a friend to all. She always had a kind word to say and a ready laugh. I loved to hear her laugh! It seems hard to believe that she will not be back at the school.

 

Libby was a great colleague, and I always enjoyed working with her. I worked with her when she was affiliated with the DNP Program. I will miss her.

- Marcia Hunter

 

I got to know Libby over the past few years, and she truly was a lovely lady. Her faith had an impact on me and helped and encouraged me through some rough times. The conversations we shared will always be cherished. I have no doubt that she was loved by so many. Praying for her family during this time.

 

Libby was always friendly, smiling, and welcoming to me and others. Her cheerful disposition will be greatly missed.

 

When I think of Libby, I think of her beautiful smile and her warm laugh. I loved the quote in her email signature, something along the lines of: "You can't control the wind, but you can adjust the sails." And whenever I would read that or think about it, in my mind's eye, I would imagine Libby lounging on a sailboat with her hair being tousled by the wind, just a-smiling and looking out over the ocean, which always made me smile.

 

Dear Ladd family,

My memories of Libby are from my time as a PhD student at DUSON. She was always happy, willing to chat for a few minutes (or longer!) in the hallway, and always available to answer a question or address a problem. She created such a welcoming environment for me as a student during my time at DUSON, and that is something that I'll never forget. I am sorry to hear about her death, and my thoughts are with you all during these challenging times.