Elizabeth Julianne “Libby” McDaniels, 94, of Holmdel, passed away Nov. 16, 2023. Libby was born in Jersey City to the late Thomas and Julia (Fitzgerald) Lahiff. She was employed by the federal government and retired as an IRS manager.
She raised her six children as a single mother after being widowed at the age of 40. She managed to resume her education, graduate from Rutgers and become a Certified Public Accountant while working for the IRS.
Libby loved to travel, play poker and mahjong. Mostly she just cherished spending time with family and friends. Devoted to her faith, Libby was a longtime communicant of St. Catharine’s Church in Holmdel. Libby also served as president of the board of Cedar Village.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Thomas and Rev. Bartholomew Lahiff SJ and her beloved husband, James McDaniels (1970).
Libby leaves behind her sons, James, Kenneth (Maureen), Thomas (Kim) and Terrence (Carrie); her daughters, Elizabeth (Paul) Guez and Elaine (Eugene) Stefanelli; her sister Mary McLoughlin; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Family and friends were invited to visit Nov. 19 at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 20 at the Church of St. Catharine, Holmdel. Burial followed at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org/donate.
Memories and condolences may be shared at johnedayfuneralhome.com.
This article originally appeared in the November 23 – 29, 2023 print edition of The Two River Times.
