It is difficult to encapsulate the tremendous courage and love with which Jeffrey Alan Libby lived his life in writing…and if you knew him well, you knew he preferred a face to face conversation to the written word. Given that he showed his love through near-constant action, his name should serve as a verb. Jeff was in motion, from the moment his feet hit the ground in the morning until he often drifted off to sleep in his chair, that in itself an act of defiance against relaxing at the end of the night. Driven and determined to prove that his life-long battle with a complex heart condition would not define him, Jeff developed a “no quit” attitude early on in life that only grew progressively more impressive. Not many have out-worked him and many have felt the struggle of attempting to keep up with him while assisting him with any of the myriad of projects he was forever working on. Every time someone told him he had a “bad heart,” or that he couldn’t or shouldn’t, he defiantly found a new way to stretch his limits and abilities. And in doing so, he built a beautiful, strong life and legacy.
Born on August 6, 1959 in Westbrook, Maine, Jeff was the youngest child of five belonging to Arthur and Carolyn Libby. He was a loyal, and precocious, brother to Diane (Waterman), Bonnie (Larrabee), Gail (Clark) and Gary. He held his parents in high regard and was proud to be their son. His love for pets began early and remained a constant throughout his life. He especially enjoyed the companionship of his dogs; Tracy, Amos, Cosby, Hope and Puddintane (named by his eldest grandson). His first heart surgery took place when he was only 8 years old. He became a pediatric medical wonder who defied his prognosis early on, in part due to the love of his family, and largely due to his will to life live to the fullest.
A 1978 graduate of Bonny Eagle High School, Jeff continued to prove that intelligence comes in many forms and throughout his work tenure, he was highly sought after for his creative problem-solving skills and ability to fix just about anything he set his mind to. He attended technical school for culinary arts after high school and started building a career as a chef. The skills he developed during that time benefited his family for years to come as his home cooking was always delicious. His second heart surgery at 25 provided a new lease on the life he wanted to build. He eventually shifted gears toward a career in the lumber industry, a profession he enjoyed for nearly 40 years. The friendships and collegiality he developed all over the region in the lumber and trucking industry were very meaningful to him. He also spent many years as a volunteer firefighter for the towns of Standish and Buxton, rising to the rank of Chief. He was driven to help others and put his talents to use serving the towns he loved.
In 1982, he began dating the love of his life, Pennie Louise (Miller) Libby. His pride and love for her was evident from the beginning and much like anything he set his mind to, there wasn’t much she could do to resist. They married on July 21, 1984 on the shore of Sebago Lake, not from far from his childhood home on Standish Neck Road, Standish, surrounded by family and friends. And thus, began the truly defining chapters of Jeff’s life; Jeffa-Man, Daddy and Puppa. Throughout their 43 years together and 41 years married, they enjoyed attending dances and listening to music, building two family get-a-ways affectionately known as “Camp” and 4-wheeling and snowmobiling on the weekends. They crafted a home together in Buxton that they were both extremely proud of.
On September 29, 1988, Jeff and Pennie welcomed their only daughter, Lyndie Jaye (Libby) Kelley. Blonde-haired and blue-eyed like her Daddy, Lyndie was his pride and joy. One year later, he underwent his third open heart surgery and it afforded him the energy necessary to pour his heart and soul into raising his daughter for the next 36 years. Jeff and Pennie shared the belief that she was their greatest accomplishment. He celebrated watching Lyndie develop as an athlete and was, without a doubt, her biggest fan. His countless hours of rebounding on the drive way hoop and court he painted her, driving her to and from practices and tournaments, and making her his special late-night grilled cheese and tomato soup after games led to her recruitment to play collegiate basketball; a dream they both shared. He liked watching her play in goal in soccer and 1st and 3rd in softball, but he relished the shine the sport of basketball brought to her eyes and told her so often. The adoration Jeff showed his daughter was second to none.
In 2006, his future son-in-law, Christopher Kelley, began dating his daughter. Jeff’s relationship with his son-in-law grew into true appreciation, mutual admiration and respect over the last 18 years. It was not easy for Jeff to walk his daughter down the aisle on their wedding day in 2013, but he always said he would not have given her away to anyone less worthy. Jeff was devoted to teaching Chris, ensuring that when the day inevitably came when his heart could no longer go on, that he would be able to take care of his those he had dedicated his life to; Pennie, Lyndie and his three incredibly loved grandsons.
In October of 2014, Jeff traded in all former monikers for the one he relished the most in his lifetime; Puppa. The arrival of his eldest grandson, Jayce Jeffery Kelley, made his Puppa so proud. His namesake, Jayce Jeffery (JJ), fell instantly in love with his Puppa and they were inseparable for the next 10 years. JJ shares his Puppa’s love of fishing, exploring the woods, playing sports, tinkering in the shed with spare parts and motors, and a good hot dog. Puppa welcomed his second grandson, Chance James David (CJ), with just as much excitement in November of 2019. CJ brought plenty of energy and humor to his world, and recently Puppa said it was “like looking in the mirror when I was 5, he’s just as much a live wire as I was.” Puppa’s third grandson, Pearce Jasper Christopher (PJ) was his “bonus boy” and they shared a special connection of facial expressions and excited babbles over the past year. PJ never took his eyes off his Puppa, wherever he went. He may have only known his Puppa for 13 months, but the love they had will last forever. Puppa especially loved to cheer his grandsons on from the sidelines and supporting them in their athletic endeavors. He never missed a school party, play or special occasion.
Jeff passed on Sunday, March 23, 2025, surrounded by his wife, daughter, son-in-law, sisters and brothers-in-law and beloved niece, following a year-long illness that took a toll on his warrior heart. His heart never quit, his soul never stopped fighting. The cardiologists who cared for him throughout his life and throughout his storied cardiac case regarded him as a remarkable man and nothing short of a medical miracle. He beat the odds stacked against him for so long and was a true inspiration to all who had the opportunity to learn from him. A special thanks is sent to Dr. Brett and the cardiology team at Mercy Hospital for their attentive care over the years.
We are so proud of his tenacity, grit and desire to LIVE on his terms.
His legacy and heart live on in his three treasured grandsons.
Jeff is predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Carolyn Libby, and his brother, Gary Libby. He is survived by his wife, Pennie Libby; his daughter and son-in-law, Lyndie and Chris Kelley and their three sons; his sisters Diane Waterman and her husband, Mike, Bonnie Larrabee and her husband, Peter, Gail Clark and her husband, Matt; 10 nieces and nephews and a many great nieces and nephews.
Jeff requested that his life be celebrated with laughs and good memories, and not mourned with sadness and we will do our best to honor that…
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, April 4th from 5-7pm at Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, 498 Long Plains Road, Buxton. There will be special readings from his daughter, Lyndie, and his eldest grandson, Jayce, as well as the playing of a special dedicated song throughout the evening.
In lieu of flowers, please consider bringing a new stuffed animal or baby blanket to the visiting hours on Friday, to or following celebration of life on Saturday, that will be donated to various organizations for children who need a friend in a scary situation. Jeff loved stuffed animals and a special blanket (a love that his daughter and grandsons share) throughout his childhood and often remarked on how having a “friend” in times of strife made all the difference for him.
On Saturday, April 5th there will be a Celebration of Life “Sheddery” (his grandsons’ name for a good time in their Puppa’s shed) from 11am to 1pm at Jeff and Pennie’s home, 100 Rankin Road, Buxton. Please join us to share some fun memories and refreshments in honor of Jeff’s life.
Online condolences can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com