Elizabeth Barton: March 7, 1983-August 21, 2025

Elizabeth “Libby” Barton (née McGill) was born on March 7, 1983 in Emerson Valley to John and Eleanor McGill (née Smith). Best known to readers of the Emerson Valley Gazette as the columnist “Dear Libby,” she died in her sleep on the morning of August 21, 2025. She is survived by her parents and younger sister Abigail, as well as ex-husband Edward “Ned” Barton.

As a lifelong resident of Emerson Valley, Libby was a well-known personage in town long before she began writing her column. She attended Emerson Valley University and earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2005. Three years later, she was hired by the Gazette to replace their previous advice columnist, Margaret Stewart, also known as “Maggie May I.”

Libby was known to be fierce and intelligent, and she was always quick to offer advice or lend a helping hand to her friends and family. She got along great with her coworkers, who she considered a second family. Every Sunday, the Gazette’s readers were treated to her clever wit and insightful advice. She had a very wry sense of humor, often including prank submissions in her column and answering them as if giving them an earnest answer to their absurd letters. This was part of what charmed her fans and made them adore her.

There will be a private service for friends and family this Sunday at the Powell Brothers Funeral Home. A public memorial will also be held at Van Sutton Park at 8 PM. For more information about the memorial, you can contact our editor-in-chief at martinjfitzgerald@gomail.com.