Elizabeth (Libby) J. Burger

Libby (nee Jarrett) Burger was born in Richmond, Virginia, and as the daughter of a Methodist minister, grew up in a family that moved almost every four years.  This gave Libby the opportunity to attend several Virginia public schools—Petersburg, Danville, Norfolk, and Roanoke.  She received a B. A. degree in elementary education from Westhampton College of the University of Richmond in June 1958, and in August married Wilbur F. Burger (deceased 2012).  They had met the previous summer when Libby had a summer job as a waitress at Massanetta Springs Bible Conference Center.

Once married, Libby’s life continued to involve frequent moves, all related to her husband’s educational and medical career pursuits: Ashland, Charlottesville, Cincinnati, Richmond, Washington, D. C., and Lynchburg.  She taught first grade in Henrico County, followed by the same assignment in Charlottesville, until the birth of a son, France, who lives in Lynchburg with wife Mary. Libby’s granddaughter, Hundley, is a senior at Virginia Episcopal School. In 1964, while residents of Richmond, the Burgers had a second son, Scott  (deceased 1983).

The family moved to Lynchburg in 1969, where Libby’s husband first joined an internal medicine practice with Doctors Scott, Shotton, Sackett & Glenn.  He later established the Lynchburg Hematology and Oncology Clinic. Once settled in the Hill City, and for the next 15 years, Libby’s primary responsibilities involved managing the Burger household and raising her two sons.

In 1984, Libby again embarked on work opportunities outside the home.  First she became the Director of Lynchburg’s First Presbyterian Church Weekday School, a position that she held for three years.  Three years later she became the Administrative Assistant at Seven Hills School.  In 1989, she left Seven Hills to accept a challenge from her son France to assist at his newly opened restaurant, Café France.  Ten years later, when it closed, Libby retired from work and channeled her energy to learning how to play golf, an activity that she wanted to enjoy with members of her family.  In a short period of time she had joined her husband on the links, as well as the two going on golf trips with other couples.

Libby arrives at WC with many interests.  She belongs to Ragged Robin Garden Club, and enjoyed family skiing and tennis, before golf took over, a game she still loves, but can no longer play.  She has always been fond of different types of handwork projects and also likes to read, travel, and play cards, particularly Hand and Foot. 

Once at WC, she looks forward to connecting with current friends, making new ones, and participating in various WC activities.  If you see Libby across a room and she does not return your smile or wave, she wants you to know she is not ignoring you; a visual challenge prevents her from seeing details at a distance.