Elisabeth "Libby" McCullough

Elisabeth Briant McCullough

Elisabeth ‘Libby’ McCullough, 87, passed away peacefully at her home in Ligonier, PA on February 5, 2024. During her last week, Libby was surrounded by her loving children and husband, enjoying memories together, eating well and feeling the love of her family.

The daughter of Gwendolyn Castle Briant and Granville Charles Briant, Libby was born June 9, 1936 in Honolulu, Hawaii.  She grew up along the shores of Oahu with her loving grandparents Alfred and Ethelinda Castle and lived through the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941 as a young girl. She is the descendent of Samuel N. and Mary Castle, prominent missionaries and philanthropists in Hawaii. Libby attended Punaho School before moving to California to live with her mother and stepfather Lawrence Murphy. In California she attended the Katherine Branson School.  After graduation, she attended Wellesley College and met her first husband John ‘Jack’ Handy Henshaw Jr., Harvard College class of 1956. They were married in Hillsborough, California in 1956. Shortly after being married, Libby and Jack moved to Green Cove Springs, Florida where Jack was an officer in the navy, and they had their first child Elisabeth ‘Betsy.’ Then they moved to Pittsburgh, PA where their second child John was born and then on to Snowflake, Arizona. Subsequently, they moved to Grafton, MA where they had their third child Anne and made lifelong friends and enjoyed many summers together in West Falmouth, MA and in Maine before moving back to Pittsburgh.

Libby and Jack divorced and after a few years she met and married her second husband George R. McCullough in 1972. They enjoyed 51 loving years together living in the east end of Pittsburgh and Ligonier, PA. Libby and George travelled extensively in Europe and built a home in Kiawah Island, South Carolina in the 1990s where they spent many winters enjoying the tidal marshes, fresh shrimp, and walks on the beach with their beloved Golden Retrievers. Dogs were a big part of Libby and George’s life together, each one of them -  Brandy, Toklat, Gunner, Devon, Bohicket and Ligo -  hold a special place in their hearts.

During her lifetime, Libby was a prodigious fundraiser for women’s health at Magee Women’s Hospital and Planned Parenthood. She also helped launch the Magee Women’s Foundation (now the Magee-Women’s Research Institute and Foundation) and served as its first board President.  Libby served as one of the first women on the Board of Governors at Rolling Rock Club and was a long time member of the Garden Club of Pittsburgh.

Libby was a natural athlete who loved to play tennis and golf, winning many titles throughout her lifetime. Libby was a tremendous cook and loved to make dinners for friends and family. Her favorite dessert was a Baked Alaska that her son-in-law Bruno would make for her on many occasions. Her love of Hawaii never diminished taking her family on many trips to the islands over the years.

Libby was predeceased by her mother Gwendolyn Murphy and Charles Briant. Libby is survived by her husband George R McCullough, three children Elisabeth Castle Henshaw, John Handy Henshaw III (Pamela), Anne Stevens Henshaw (Bruno); stepson George Foster McCullough; three grandchildren Lila Hunt Davies (Zachary), William Ralston (Amanda), Giacomo Marino; and one great grandchild Chloe Castle Davies. The family would like to thank the caregivers Kathy, Jackie, Morgan and Jami who provided love and support throughout the last three years of Libby’s life and to hospice for ensuring her comfort in her final days.

Libby will be laid to rest in Rector, PA at St. Michael’s cemetery in a private ceremony.

Charitable donations in Libby’s memory can be made to the Magee Women’s Research Institute and Foundation.

Online condolences may be made to www.mccabefuneralhomespa.com.