ROCKPORT: S. Elizabeth “Libby” (Johnson) Holloran, 92, formerly of School Street, died Wednesday morning, July 29, 2009 in the Den-Mar Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Gloucester on July 16, 1917, she was the daughter of the late John A. and Cora (Ferguson) Johnson. She was educated in the Gloucester school system and a graduate of the Gloucester High School class of 1935. She graduated Bradford Junior College in 1937 and Vesper George School of Art in 1940.
During the World War II years, she was the children’s librarian at the Sawyer Free Library. Later she was the personnel manager at the former W.G. Brown’s Department Store until it closed in 1971.
She was a member of the Folly Cove Designers for twenty-seven years. After the group disbanded in 1969, she opened her own shop, the Sarah Elizabeth Shop in Rockport in 1974, carrying on the block printing tradition.
She loved hiking, skiing and painting in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In the summer, she enjoyed boating and sailing around the North Shore.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth H. and Tyrone R. Bourguignon of Needham, a son, Timothy A. Holloran and his partner, Gary Phillips of Rhode Island, four grandchildren, Amy E., wife of Michael Marsh, Gregory R. Bourguignon, Timothy E. Holloran, Jaime T. Holloran, a great-grandson, Colin M. Jones, a niece, Deborah Fabi, a nephew, John and his wife, Catherine Russ and several great-nieces and great-nephews. She was also predeceased by two sisters and brothers-in-law, Emily and James Abbott and Barbara and Bryan Russ.
Her service will be held on Saturday, September 12th in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9 – 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the “Children’s Library” Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930.