"Anita was one of the most caring, loving and supportive individuals I have ever known. I will miss her here on earth but she remains in my heart forever. Anita thank you for being one of the few friends I chose to have and thank you for being with me for one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had. When you see my Lexus please give her a hug and kiss and I will help to watch over and be the best friend I can to Yoni. I love you Anita,"
In loving memory of
Anita Gale Heck-Libbie
February 11, 1958 - August 31, 2014
Anita Gale Heck-Libbie, aged 56 years, died August 31, 2014 after a brief struggle with cancer.
Anita grew up in southern Illinois. A design school graduate, she most enjoyed floral designing. She later trained in office administration and managed optometry practices in Illinois and Iowa.
In her teens, Anita was an avid amateur rodeo competitor (barrel racing). Her enjoyment of horses and rodeo took her to Texas where she managed her husbands podiatric medical practice. Anita was quietly passionate about matters of social justice. As a committed Zionist, she served as a volunteer to the Israel Defense Forces. She was a member of Temple Beth El in Odessa, Texas and Temple Bnai Jeshurun in Des Moines. Anita loved all dogs and was devoted to her retired racing greyhounds whom she referred to as my kids.
She is survived by her husband of thirty-five years, Dr. John Yoni Libbie of Des Moines, a sister, Lou Jean Dodd, and her mother, Mary Lou Heck, both of southern Illinois.
A private celebration of her life is planned for a later date. Anita asked that memorials be made to OneIowa, an advocacy for marriage equality or to Gulf Greyhound Park Adoption Center in LaMarque, Texas.