Ms. Iris P. Liebig

Tuesday Evening, November 6, 2012, Iris Liebig passed away at Memorial Hospital, Easton Maryland. She died comfortably and with loving family members, her daughter, Catherine Liebl, and her niece, Iris, and her husband, William Giraudo at her side. Born in Aberdeen Scotland, Iris was 5 months old when her parents, Catherine and John Mortimer immigrated to North America. The family moved to Forest Hills, Queens when Iris was five years old. She grew up in the atmosphere, like so many immigrants of the time, of strong family values and hard work. Upon graduation from Richmond Hill High School, Iris having aspired to be a nurse for a long time went on to graduate from Holyoke Hospital School of Nursing in Holyoke, MA with top honors. Iris met her husband, Charles Liebig, while he was stationed in Holyoke with the U.S. Air Force. He returned from his overseas tour of duty the same day she took her state boards in nursing, and they eloped. For a few years following graduation she traveled with her husband to various military assignments and his home in Portland, OR, while beginning her nursing career. In 1948 Iris returned and settled in New York and worked at Horace Harding Hospital in Queens. In 1953 North Shore Hospital (now North Shore University - Long Island Jewish Hospital) opened and so began Iris’s life long career and love affair with the hospital. Starting as an Operating Room nurse, Iris retired as Administrative Coordinator of the Operating Rooms, Surgical Intensive Care Unit and the Extended Nursing Unit in the Department of Surgery. Known to many as the “Henry Kissinger” of Nursing, because of her mediation skills and warm, wonderful way with people. She ruled with an iron fist but was always fair. Iris was a well liked, respected and valued by all who worked with her. Iris retired from NSUH in 1981. Iris and her sister, Vera Lynn, took care of her mother Katherine Mortimer until her death in 1985. Retirement for Iris Liebig consisted of world travel which she loved, including a trip to China with her daughter in 1994. Iris divided her time between her condominium in Tequesta, FL and living with her daughter and son in Law. She was known as the queen sports spectator. Her favorites were Tennis, Baseball, and Golf, a diehard Yankee fan to the end. Family members knew the weeks of the four tennis opens were the best weeks of the year for Iris second only to the Yankees in the Playoffs or World Series. Since moving to Easton she became an expert on our local Osprey, always with binoculars ready. The loss of Iris Liebig will be felt in the hearts of many from New York City to Palm Beach Florida. She touched many people’s lives with her warmth and humor. And will be remembered as a positive role model for women both young and old ….. anything is possible with love, hard work and a positive attitude. Iris is survived by her daughter, Cathie Liebl; niece, Iris Giraudo (both of Easton MD); and niece Amy Lynn and her son, Samuel Hess (both of Southfield MA). In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Vera Lynn. A celebration of life calling will be held on Saturday, November 17 from 3p-5p at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., 200 S. Harrison St., Easton, MD 21601. In lieu of flowers the family would like contributions to be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 1850 York Rd., Ste. D, Timonium, MD 21093 in Iris' memory.

Ms. Iris P. Liebig

March 1, 1923 - November 6, 2012