Elizabeth Ann "Libby" Kamp

Elizabeth Kamp, 87, passed away peacefully early Thursday, December 11th at Lancaster General Hospital. She will be sorely missed for her love and compassion by family and friends.

Born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, Libby grew up there with her sister Mary Lou and her parents. They moved to North Canton, Ohio when she was in the 8th grade. She was involved in school activities, including playing the trumpet in marching band and orchestra. A very popular young lady, Libby was crowned Homecoming queen in high school.

Libby and her husband John met in 1955 at a dance, where they both attended with friends. John got up the courage to ask her to dance when she was sitting alone for a moment. They dated from that point on. John and Libby continued to date long distance while in college, and she graduated with a Masters of Education from Kent State.

John and Libby were married in 1960 and moved to Blacksburg, Virginia to begin their new life together. There, Libby started her long career in teaching, beginning with the sixth grade. The young couple eventually moved north to Fairfax, Virginia and grew their family over the next few years adding two daughters.

The Kamps moved to New Holland, PA in 1970 to find a quieter, more family-oriented location to raise their family, and soon added a son to the family. Libby taught several grades at New Holland Elementary School including sixth grade and kindergarten, then settled into first grade as she truly enjoyed arming young minds with the basic building blocks needed to succeed in life. Her children fondly remember many summers helping create cut-out bulletin board drawings for laminating and setting up her classroom each year.

Libby retired in 2000 after 38 years of teaching and shortly before that they built/moved into a new home in New Holland to enjoy their retirement. In 2019, they decided to move to Garden Spot Village so they could spend more time relaxing and enjoying their hobbies including bridge clubs (Libby was a Lifetime Master) and watching their favorite sports team the Philadelphia Phillies. They even ventured to winter training camp one year.

Libby was an incredible wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her home-cooked meals will be sorely missed! She was a caring, loving individual, and truly devoted to her family. Libby was the anchor and steadfast rock of the family. She touched many lives over the years through her teaching, church, bridge clubs and community. Her absence will be felt by many and missed by all.

Libby was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Lou Novack, her parents Stephen and Jean (Prazer) Thomas and is survived by her husband John, her daughters Kristine, spouse of Victoria Rosancrans, Laura, wife of Robert Smee and son Andrew. Kristine’s daughters Alyssa, wife of Stewart Killian; Ashley, spouse of George Koikas; and Alenna, wife of Christian Vance. She is also survived by a niece Bambi, wife of Charles Jackson, and nephews Tom and Larry Seldenright and a step-grandson Dave Lanser, spouse of Tanya. She was also blessed with seven great grandchildren and two step grand-children.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in her name to the local Alzheimer’s Association. There will be a private family graveside service, but the family invites you to join us for a Celebration of Libby’s Life to be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, New Holland on January 9, 2026, from 10 to 11am. The Groff-High Funeral Home, New Holland, is honored to serve the Kamp family. Online condolences may be offered at www.groffeckenroth.com.