Olivia Marea Liebert Obituary (1923 - 2017)

Olivia Liebert, 93, former longtime Coffeyville resident passed away Monday, April 24, 2017, at Brookdale Senior Living in Shawnee, Kansas. She was born July 18, 1923, in Newton, Massachusetts, the daughter of Carle Bigelow and Olive (Nicholson) Bigelow. Olivia was the youngest of three children and is predeceased by her older sister Rosalind Burkett and older brother, Bud Bigelow. She moved often as a child, living in various cities throughout New England and regaled her children and grandchildren with stories of Cedar Manor, her grandfather's grand estate, and later, the smaller more intimate home of her father and beloved step-mother Maude, which they playfully named Pee Wee Manor. She graduated from Oberlin College in Ohio in 1945, majoring in art history, and then attended the secretarial school of Katharine Gibbs in Boston. After finishing at "Katy" Gibbs, Olivia moved to Washington, D.C. to work as a secretary for a United States Senator. It was there where she met her husband Richard Liebert while he was attending law school. They were married on July 10, 1948 in the Cathedral of St. Matthew in Washington D.C. and then moved to Coffeyville where they lived for the next 50 years. Richard began a law practice in partnership with his brother Frank at Liebert and Liebert Attorney at Laws where Olivia often worked to support the firm. She also worked tirelessly at home to nurture family life for their five children. She was very active with her children's events at Holy Name Catholic School, as well as their extra-curricular activities. She instilled in them a love for music and the arts that they have carried with them throughout their own lives. Once they moved away, she continued to work part-time in her husband's law office as a bookkeeper. She also worked vigorously for the community and was especially proud of her contributions while serving on the Boards of the Coffeyville Public Library and the Coffeyville Cultural Arts Council. She was instrumental in getting the new library built in 1979 and for bringing many fine arts performances to the city. Olivia was an avid collector of Ruby Red glassware, copper lusterware, and was always enjoyed antiquing with her family and friends. She and Richard retired to Sun City, Arizona, 1998-2004. During this time they enjoyed going to the symphony and ballet in Phoenix, the opera in Santa Fe and summer vacations with their children and grandchildren in Angel Fire, New Mexico. These were very happy years. They relocated to Leawood, Kansas in 2004 as residents of Sunrise Senior Living. Richard Liebert passed away in 2011, and Olivia moved to Brookdale Senior Living in Shawnee in 2015. She is survived by her five children: Thomas Richard Liebert, Jr. of Houston, TX, Timothy Carle Liebert of Kansas City, Marea Liebert Dotz of Mosier, Oregon; Sarah Liebert Lammers of Merriam, KS; and Daniel Francis Liebert of Albany, NY. Olivia is also survived by 2 sons in law, 3 daughters in law, 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. They will remember their mother and grandmother with great affection. Her sweet nature, her kindness and concern for their well-fare will always be a source of pride and inspiration. She will be greatly missed. A Rosary Vigil Service followed by Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 26, 2017 at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville, with Father Chad Arnold officiating. Inurnment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may sign the register book on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. The family suggests memorials to Holy Name Catholic School; contributions may be left with the funeral home or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Rd., Coffeyville, KS 67337.