Elizabeth “Libby” Sedlock

To know Libby was to know someone who embraced life. She welcomed people, cherished friendships, filled every room with laughter, and found endless joy in making others happy. She taught us that life should be experienced, that adventures are worth taking, that family is everything, and that sometimes the best memories are made over a bag of snacks on the way to somewhere special.

Libby was preceded in death by her parents, John Peter Casassa and Effie Valone Casassa; her beloved son, John Rolleston; her former husband and dear friend, Paul "Grampy" Sedlock; and other cherished family members.

She is lovingly survived by her daughter Shila Rolleston (Aaron Martin); her granddaughters, Jenni Houlton (Andy) and Kari Wright (Cory); her grandson, Joseph Rolleston (Hannah); her great-grandchildren, Blake and Reed Houlton; and numerous grandpups. 

Affectionately known as “Grammy” and lovingly nicknamed the “Energizer Grammy”, she was always ready for the next adventure. If there was fun to be had, Grammy was ready to go. She always said, “I want to be that grandma!”

From trips to Weeki Wachee with Grampy and her granddaughters to adventures around town with her grandson, Grammy believed childhood should be filled with laughter, experiences, and unforgettable memories… and she could never say “no” to her grandkids. They could always count on her for fun, support, or a life lesson.

One of those lessons was that the best memories are made over a bag of snacks on the way to somewhere special. No road trip was complete without Grammy’s legendary snack collection. Somehow, she always had the best snacks packed in her car. It’s a small tradition we all inherited from her that will always make us smile. 

Libby’s funny, sassy, wonderfully opinionated, and delightfully honest personality is hard to forget. She never hesitated to give her opinion, and those who loved her wouldn’t have had it any other way.

She also never met a stranger. Whether she was behind the sample table, meeting friends for an evening out at the casino, or simply running errands, she had an extraordinary gift for making people feel welcome. Her years as the beloved “sample lady” were about much more than handing out samples. She built friendships, made people laugh, remembered faces, and made everyone feel like an old friend.

Long before that, Libby worked pressing records for CBS Music. Everyone there knew about her lifelong love for Engelbert Humperdinck. When one of his songs would come over the speakers, coworkers called out, “Libby!” and she’d stop what she was doing, place her hands over her heart, and smile. Her admiration for him never faded, and she was fortunate to attend several of his concerts with family.

Aside from her family, Libby’s greatest love was Las Vegas. She visited so many times that the family eventually lost count, estimating somewhere between forty and fifty trips over the years. She loved the glamour of the classic Vegas days, when dressing up for an evening out was part of the experience. She taught her family that taking pride in your appearance wasn’t about impressing others; it was about respecting the occasion and celebrating life.

In her later years, Libby found another way to show her love: she became known for the beautiful handmade kitchen towels she created. She carefully cut and sewed towels, knitting decorative tops with matching buttons so they could hang neatly from a drawer or cabinet knob. She made them for every season, holiday, and special occasion. Today, those towels are treasured reminders of Grammy’s thoughtfulness, creativity, and generous heart. Her family believes there are kitchens all over with a towel hanging in them that Grammy made just for them.

While our hearts are deeply saddened by her passing, we are incredibly grateful for the gift of having known and loved her. Her laughter echoes in our memories, her traditions continue in our homes, her handmade gifts remain in our kitchens, and her adventurous spirit lives on in each of us.

In keeping with Grammy's wishes, the family will be celebrating her life privately. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Villa St. Francis, in gratitude for the loving care Libby received there and in honor of the caregivers who looked after her with such kindness. Memorials may be sent to Villa St. Francis, 16600 W. 126th Street, Olathe, KS 66062, with "In Memory of Libby Sedlock" noted in the memo line.