Elizabeth “Libby” Brown Whaley

Elizabeth (Libby) Brown Whaley, 56, of Santa Barbara, CA, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 13.

She was born to the late Neal Archie and Millie Sykes Brown, Feb. 19, 1956, in Youngsville, NC. Libby graduated from East Carolina University in 1978 with a Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation. She received a Master’s degree in healthcare administration from the University of La Verne in 1993. She married John (Jack) L. Whaley, Jr. in 1986.

Libby worked as the Director of Therapeutic Recreation at Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital of Santa Barbara until her retirement in 2010 and was passionate about making a difference in the lives of her patients. In 2008 she received the CRH Team Member of the Year Award. Libby also served two terms as president of the Jodi House board of directors and was instrumental in helping the organization establish their first permanent center on Veronica Springs Rd. in 1994. She was the co-director of the Jr. Wheelchair Sports Camp in 2008 and co-chair of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Libby loved gardening, hiking, creating art in a wide variety of media and vacationing at her home in Baja. Among her many adventures, she toured Thailand on a motorcycle, hiked across the Baja peninsula, and donated eyeglasses to locals while sailing throughout Vanuatu.

Libby is survived by her husband, Jack Whaley; her sister, Debbie (George) Williams and her brother, Tony (Paula) Brown, both of Greenville, NC. She is also survived by five nieces and one nephew.

Memorial donations may be made to the Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation to support therapeutic outreach programs. Donations may be sent to: “Libby Whaley Slush Fund,” c/o Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, 2415 De La Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.

All are welcome to a gathering of friends and family to remember Libby on Friday, May 18 in Godric Grove at Elings Park, Santa Barbara, from 3-6 p.m.