ELIZABETH "Libby" RAPPAPORT

RAPPAPORT ELIZABETH JEAN ROBINSON RAPPAPORT "Libby" Happy 93rd Birthday - Mom, Grandma and Friend. You left us on June 18, 2020 at age 92. This is our first wish to the spirit universe. "I think you keep having lives until you get it right," was your take. Elizabeth Jean Robinson Rappaport, aka "Libby", was a woman ahead of her time. She was devoted to learning, self-understanding and being "conscious." Everyone from Alan Watts to Deepak Chopra, along with EST and Course of Miracles was experienced. She went to yoga camp in 1964 and opened a health food store in 1970 Born in 1927 to Florence (Stewart) and John Robinson, her first reckoning came when the family lost their farm and moved to tiny Pitcairn, outside of Pittsburgh. She left for Washington, DC. after high school. Working for a dentist in 1954, she met Harry Rappaport, first as a patient and then as a widower. Harry's first wife died from cancer leaving 2 under 18 months. In 1957, she became "Pretty Mommy" to Stan and Estie, as they were calling everyone Mommy. Libby quit work and built a family. Libby and Harry separated amicably after five years - and she, originally staying, agreed to Harry's change of heart and moved a few miles away, sharing evenings and weekends. "I already had a relationship with you - you did not have one with your father," she explained later. Tragedy struck again in June 1967, when Harry died of a sudden heart attack; Stan was 13, Estie 12 and Libby just 39. Libby saved her children again with strength, encouragement and guidance. She bore legal and money disputes too, as no one had thought to have her formally adopt her children. In 1971, Libby and Rob Robinson, bought The Good Diet Shop, on "H" street in DC. She was the first person we heard say "Food is Medicine," who encouraged vitamin supplements and organic food and discouraged sugar. Working 12 hours a day, she made the store a success. When Rob left, Libby was asked by her landlord how the store would manage. "The first time you don't get your rent, you'll know." She had a rent-controlled apartment on Connecticut Avenue, with a seven-foot coffee table, piled with books, newspapers and magazines. She read The Washington Post daily, watched CNN, C-SPAN2 and listened to NPR. After the store, she worked in Real Estate, rejected Florida after 16 months, and came home to Columbia and then Elkridge Maryland. She was a regular play grandparent at Stan's home and a welcomed and frequent visitor to Boston; a favorite of Estie's friends. She was a long-time member the Trender's group at the Florence Bain Senior Center in Columbia, where she always brought newspaper clippings and her keen wit. Never remarrying, she lived alone nearly 50 years. While disappointed, she also cracked that "I find my own company better than most people I know." Yet, as her son Stan said, "If you met her, you would remember. Her appearance, intelligence and forthrightness captivated anyone in listening range. She was uniquely interesting." She loved ballet, theatre, Pavarotti and a good joke. Libby zealously believed in giving back - her mailbox full of donation requests. If you were family or friend, you got her attention and, without fail, her own views on whatever subject was discussed. She was tough, demanding awareness and progress and would not flinch from using criticism to get you there. She quit smoking at 80, (yes, even in the back of her store) and claimed she never inhaled. She made three organic meals, took her vitamins (including medicinal mushrooms for 10+ years) to live well until lung cancer slowed her last six months. She remained sharp, watching Bill Maher and Fareed Zakaria her last weekend. The above photo was taken at the time of her 90th birthday. Her family includes Stan Rappaport and Pat Barnes of Pasadena, MD; Estie Rappaport and Neil Aresty of Boston; grandchildren Amy Rappaport and fiancé Jared Albert, Daniel Rappaport; and Greg Rappaport all in Maryland and DC; Zack Aresty of Boston; step-grandchildren Dana Barnes and Jason Barnes and great-grandchild, Joshua. Also beloved by her niece Jane Thomas of Monroeville, PA, and her family, treasured neighbor Jude Ferraro and her friends at the Senior Center. Libby was a resilient and formidable survivor and her children are both strong survivors because of it. She educated many on nutrition, mindfulness and the need to live in the present. We waited until her birthday to post this, because, in RBG tradition, her fervent wish was for everyone to wake up, fight for their health, their planet and their shared humanity. So please, this November 3rd, please VOTE!